16. The Book of Daniel 11:36-45

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1 16. The Book of Daniel 11:36-45 (8/9/17) Daniel chapters together form one narrative dealing with one vision. Chapter 11 is really a panoramic view of history starting with the Persian Empire and running all the way thru to the last world empire before Jesus returns the Antichrist s kingdom. Daniel chapter 11 is the most prophetic and detailed chapter on prophecy in the Bible predicting history over some 375 years. There are 135 fulfilled prophecies in the first 35 verses. They were still in the future when these prophecies were given to Daniel but are now ancient history to us all except verses 36 to 45 which are still future. How do we know these verses are still future I ll give you three reasons: 1. Verses 2-35 have all been fulfilled because secular history has proven it. 2. The descriptions of the Antichrist in different parts of the Bible correspond exactly with these verses and the leader they describe. 3. In Daniel 11:40 we see the phrase at the time of the end and then 12:1 says at that time indicating that both verses were talking about the same time. Verse one of chapter twelve was quoted by Jesus in Matthew 24 describing the time of the end and the coming of the Antichrist. 1

2 Daniel 11:36 (NKJV) 36 "Then the [Antichrist] king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god As we said last week the Antichrist won t rise to power as a military conqueror but as a man of peace who will be thrust into power by the people of the world who see him as a messiah. He will have supernatural intelligence and charisma and will come on the scene after the world has suffered some kind of terrible economic or natural catastrophe or possibly even a limited nuclear exchange of some kind. This will cause nations to give up their national sovereignty believing that mankind s only hope for survival will be to come together as one under a central government a one world government with this man (Antichrist) as their leader. We read in Revelation 13:2 that The dragon [Satan] gave him [Antichrist] his power, his throne, and great authority. This coincides with what Paul says about this man 2 Thessalonians 2:9 (NKJV) 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders So, the world, in general, will receive this man as their long-awaited messiah but not everyone will love him or want to follow him. At some point near the end of the first half of the Tribulation Perion there will be an assassination attempt on his life. 2

3 Revelation 13 talks about his deadly wound being healed (v.12), and how he was wounded and lived (v.14). Zechariah 11:17 tells us that his right arm will be paralyzed and his right eye totally blinded (indicating a possible gunshot to the left side of his head). This assassination attempt will initially seem to have been successful the world will think he s dead but then he miraculously comes back to life. I personally don t believe he is really dead because I don t believe the devil has the power to raise the dead. However, it isn t going to matter because Satan will present such a convincing counterfeit death and resurrection that the whole world will believe it was genuine. And in fact, it will be such a powerful testimony to the world of this man s godlike attributes and power the fact that his deadly (mortal) wound was healed, that it s mentioned three times in Revelation 13 and becomes the thing that the world identifies him with Revelation 13:3 (NKJV) 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. This is the thing that causes the entire world (unbelievers) to be so astonished and amazed with this man that they quickly go from amazement to worship. Revelation 13:4 (NKJV) 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" 3

4 This belief that the Antichrist is god and therefore unbeatable becomes the core belief that causes his followers to believe they can rally behind him and defeat Jesus when He comes back to establish His Kingdom (Revelation 19). Now, I believe that after the Antichrist s pseudo resurrection, the devil will enter into him and at this point he will become a military dictator a bloodthirsty madman killing any and all who dare stand in his way (Daniel 11:36). His first order of business, after the devil possesses him and resurrects him, will be to kill the Two Witnesses (Explain who they are) Revelation 11:7 (NKJV) 7 When they finish their testimony (the Two Witnesses), the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. After the Antichrist kills the Two Witnesses he will then go into the Temple in Jerusalem where he will stop the sacrifices and offerings to the God of Israel, place an image of himself in the Holy of Holies and demand to be worshiped as God. This is what Jesus is referring to in Matthew 24:15 Matthew 24:15-22 (NKJV) 15 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), And also, Paul in 2Thessalonians 2:4 and John in Revelation 13: Thessalonians 2:4 (NKJV) 4 who [the Antichrist] opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 4

5 Revelation 13:12-15 (NLT) And he [the False Prophet] required all the earth and its people to worship the first beast [Antichrist], whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 He did astounding miracles, even making fire flash down to earth from the sky while everyone was watching. 14 And with all the miracles he was allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived all the people who belong to this world. He ordered the people to make a great statue [image] of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and then came back to life. 15 He was then permitted to give life to this statue so that it could speak. Then the statue of the beast commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die. There is something about this new world-wide spirituality anchored in the worship of the Antichrist that you need to understand in fact, it may even give insight into this statue that the Antichrist and False Prophet give life to. In 2Thessalonians 2 Paul talks about the supernatural power that the Antichrist will have, how he uses it to get people to worship him and even gives us some insight into the message the Antichrist preaches to those who follow him 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 (NKJV) 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, What is this 'lie' and notice it's not "a lie" Paul refers to it as "the lie". He mentions it again in Romans 1 Romans 1:18-25 (NKJV) 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their 5

6 foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and fourfooted animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Notice how Paul connects the lie with false worship the worship of the creature. What is this lie? I believe it's the same basic lie that Satan deceived Eve with in the Garden of Eden that if she ate the forbidden fruit her eyes would be opened (she would achieve enlightenment) and become like God (ascend to godhood). So, the very lie that caused the human race to fall in the beginning, I believe, is going to be the ultimate deception that Satan is going to use against the human race in the end. And I believe the Antichrist's religion will be rooted in the belief that mankind can become a super-race of god-beings that will live forever. This has been the goal of Hinduism, Mormonism, the New Age Movement and many others those who believe that we are really God and all we need is to be enlightened and then the human race will take a quantum leap in the evolutionary process to godhood. Remember the statue/image that the Antichrist and False Prophet put into the Holy of Holies in the Temple in Jerusalem a statue they have the power to give life to? Could this be some kind of machine or computer or robot that they are able to infuse with human consciousness and intelligence (the singularity)? 6

7 And if so could this be the prototype of a super race that will have incredible power and intelligence a race of people that will be the perfect combination of machine and human consciousness who will live forever as gods upon the earth? I mean could this be the message the Antichrist will preach to the people of the world and why they so enthusiastically follow him and destroy all those who oppose him? Does this sound far-fetched it would have a few years ago but not anymore thanks to those who are transhumanists. (Explain) Daniel 11:36 (NKJV) 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 The Antichrist will be a man of great pride exalting and magnifying himself above every god even to the point of speaking blasphemies against the True and Living God of Scripture. This will officially begin the last half of the Tribulation Period (Antichrist s image in the Holy of Holies), and will user in a time of great persecution for the people of God even as we read in Daniel 7:25: Daniel 7:25 (NKJV) 25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time [three and a half years]. Daniel 11:36 (NKJV) 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. 7

8 One author said, He will go from one success to another, uniting the West, deceiving Israel, manipulating the Arabs, baiting Russia, and, for a while, taking over the whole earth. He will be either persuasive and charming or terrifying and treacherous as the occasion demands. The Antichrist will be the wealthiest man on the face of the earth until God s wrath (judgment) is poured out upon him and his followers 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 (NKJV) 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 (NKJV) 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. (Revelation 19) Daniel 11:37 (NKJV) 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. This verse proves to us that Antiochus Epiphanes isn t in view here because he did regard the gods of his fathers in fact, he built temples for the gods of his fathers. Many believe the statement that, he shall not regard the God of his fathers, means he, the Antichrist, will be a Jew since that phrase appears repeatedly in the O.T. as a way of referring to the Jewish people and their God. Although the word God could be translated gods (plural) signifying he could be an atheist who doesn t have regard for any god (except himself) atheism at its core is humanism, the worship of self as god. 8

9 If the Antichrist is an atheist it would explain the latter part of verse 37 and verse 38 Daniel 11:37-38 (NKJV) 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. In other words, the only god the Antichrist worships (besides himself) is the god of military might (the god of fortresses). One author What this king will really trust in is a god who he believes can give him military success. Evidently this is not a god in the religious sense. He will probably idolize power. His forefathers typically acknowledged some supreme being or some pagan god or gods. He will honor his god by spending money to build his military arsenal. In other words, he will be a materialist. The idea behind the phrase that he won t regard the desire of women (v.37) has three possibilities 1. It might mean he s a homosexual who doesn t have any desire for women. 2. He is so busy with world conquest he doesn t have time for nor is interested in women. 3. This a Jewish idiom for the privilege of being chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. (Explain) One author put it this way The phrase desire of women refers to Jesus, in that all [Jewish] women [in Daniel s day] desired the honor of bearing the Messiah Seeing the desire of women as Jesus makes most sense in light of the flow of context. 9

10 And so, many believe this is saying that the Antichrist will have no regard for Jesus (the desire of Jewish women) and no doubt that will be true. Daniel 11:38 (NKJV) 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. He will pour billions of dollars into his war machine and become the strongest military leader on the planet destroying nations that oppose him and rewarding those that support him with land taken from his enemies (v.39) Daniel 11:39 (NKJV) 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. The expression he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god I believe is a reference to the devil the foreign god who gives him power to be victorious as a military conqueror (Rev.13:2). One author By means of his overwhelming military power (his god), Antichrist will destroy all of those who dare challenge him. The peoples of the world will be so impressed by his might that they will say: Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him? (Rev 13:4) Persons who vow allegiance to Antichrist as their king will be rewarded. He will greatly honor them, grant them leadership positions ( make them rulers over many people ), and allot them territories to rule ( distribute the land ). The price for such rewards includes unquestioning allegiance to Antichrist and his government but may also involve financial payoffs and political favors. Daniel 11:40 (NKJV) 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. 10

11 At the time of the end tells us that the events spoken of in verses concerning the Antichrist take place at the end of the Tribulation Period just prior to Jesus return. The king of the South, many believe, is a reference to Egypt and possibly including a coalition of Arab/Muslim nations. Don t forget, the Antichrist has outlawed all faiths and gods except himself and the worship of him as god. Muslims are fiercely monotheistic (even though Allah is not the true God) and they will no doubt be some of the strongest nations on earth that will oppose the Antichrist. The king of the North, many believe, is a reference to the Turks, the Syrians (again, Muslims) and the Russians who have joined forces to oppose the Antichrist. Verse 40 sounds like this attack on the Antichrist s forces from the North and South has been coordinated in advance and launched simultaneously but to no avail. By this time the Antichrist s military might is so strong that he fights against them on both fronts and wins passing thru them. In other words, he goes right thru them they can t stop him. Both of these confederacies of nations to the north and south will be defeated by the Antichrist and absorbed into his world empire. 11

12 Daniel 11:41 (NKJV) 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. The Glorious Land is Israel. Many Jews will flee from Jerusalem down to the area east of the Dead Sea (Edom, Moab and Ammon modern day Jordan) where they will take refuge in the rock city of Petra. Revelation 12:13-17 (NKJV) 13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Daniel 11:42-43 (NKJV) 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. Egypt has more wealth than most people realize much gold. However, at one point the Libyans and Ethiopians will attack him. Daniel 11:44 (NKJV) 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. 12

13 Throughout the last three and a half years of the Tribulation period, nations will submit to the rule of Antichrist, but there will be growing dissent and opposition, even though his work is energized by Satan. The news report in verse 44 refers to the growing army from the East that will meet the forces of Antichrist these would include the Chinese, Japanese, and other Asians. God s time table for the Antichrist to be in power has come to an end Revelation 16:12-16 (NKJV) 12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty 16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. Daniel 11:45 (NKJV) 45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and [or at ] the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him. The Antichrist will make Jerusalem ( the glorious holy mountain Mt. Zion) his headquarters which is located between the seas (Mediterranean and Dead Seas). The battle of Armageddon will be fought in Valley of Megiddo 80 miles north of Jerusalem. The word Armageddon means mountain of Megiddo, and this battle occurs at the end of the Tribulation period. 13

14 Revelation 19:19 (NKJV) 19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Understand that the Antichrist and his followers know that the Scriptures said that from the time the Antichrist sets up his image in the Holy of the Holies till Jesus returns will be 1260 days or 42 months (Revelation 13:5). And as we said earlier, they think the Antichrist is so powerful that he can even lead them in battle against Jesus and keep him from replacing the Antichrist s kingdom with His Millennial Kingdom. They have completely underestimated Jesus power while greatly overestimating the Antichrist s power. yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him. Revelation 19:20 (NKJV) 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. One author put it well At that moment, the heavens will open. The Lord Jesus will come, backed by the armies of heaven and accompanied by his blood-bought bride. Invincible and omnipotent, sweeping all before Him, He will descend. The sword will flash forth, and the Battle of Armageddon will be over in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. None shall help him is Daniel s final word on the fate of the Antichrist. No one could help him. The Apocalypse [Book of Revelation] adds the final details. The Antichrist and his soul twin, the False Prophet, will be hurled living into the lake of fire. Satan will be incarcerated in the Abyss. And Jesus will take to Himself His mighty power and reign! 14