Daniel Chapter 11:1-21 Daniel 2.4 The God of History Introduction This chapter contains prophecy (now history-yet still future chronology of ungodly kings). Conflict, fratricide, Genocide. The history of war on the planet earth. A study was conducted. Experts predicted that the earth would have a full scale nuclear war by the year 2000. People who reject the presuppositions that God knows the future have rejected Daniel chapter 11. God is control not only of the Messianic line but of all history. History is filled with thousands of wars and billions dead. On a popular talk show I heard that more people will die in Los Angeles, Detroit, New Orleans and Washington DC from gun related, gang related activities than Bosnia. Personal vendettas, national revolution international war. People try to put an end to conflict, but fail! Why? James hits the nail squarely on the head James 4:1-2 "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask." The poisened well is the souls of men. In the heart---selfishness----pride--- all personal, national and worldwide strife. The final battle on the planet will be fought near Jezreel in the plains of Meggiddo. It is called the Battle of Armeggedon. The final conflict, humans will stand in oppositon to God. The events are described in part in the last two chapters of Daniel. God is in control. God will one day confine sin, and selfishness in hell forever. This chapter contains at least 38 fulfilled prophesies. The rule of 4 Persian kings (v.2); The war of the 4th king with Greece; The rise and fall of Alexander the Great (v.3&4); Th division of his empire into fourths (v.4); The eventual alliance of two of these kingdoms (v.6) The Egyptian plunder of Syria (v.8) The unsuccessful retaliation of Syria (v.9) The civil war in Egypt (v. 14); The Syrian occupation of Palestine (v.16); The temple descration by a Syrian king (v.31; 32); The Maccabean revolt (v.32) The eventual defeat of the Maccabeans (v.33). The Horror of Past Wars 1. Daniel is an old man. He has seen kings come and go. This is the third year of the King Persia; Cyrus. Daniel is told by the angel that Cyrus will be succeded by four more kings. (11.2) verse 2: The fourth would be mighty and wealthy. From history we know that the kings were Cambyses (530-522); Gaumata (522), Darius I Hystaspes (521-486), and Xerxes (486-465)--the very rich and powerful monarch. He is called King Ahasuerus throughout the book of Esther. Xerxes lauched a "great campaign against Greece from 481-479, with an army of 200,000 men and a navy of many hundreds of ships gathered from all over his vast empire." John Witcomb explains that "Xerxes desperately sought to avenge the humiliating defeat suffered by his father Darius I, at the hands of the Greeks during the battle of Marathon (490). But his army was defeated north of Athens at Plataea (479), just after his navy was smashed at Salamis, to the west of Athens."
"This king was quite willing to sell to Haman the lives of the Jews in his realm for 10,000 talents of silver. He was a king with unbridled sensuality ambition, and pride paved the way for the downfall of the Persian empire. For years this king kept Asia in turmoil as he stirred up his vast realm against Greece." (John Phillips p. 170) No king after Xerxes was strong enough to invade Greece. 2. The Greek ruler who subdued the Persians was Alexander the Great. His was a short career, but other than Jesus, he single handedly did more to change the world than any other human being (v.3) Alexander did "according to his will". His first desire was to invade Persia for all the sorrow Persia perpetrated ealier from Xerxes. But he did not stop. With 12 years he subdued Asia, India, parts of Africa and Europe. He never met a foe he could not conquer, a city he could not subdue, a people he could not subjugate. His goal in life was to bring Greek culture, language and religion to the world. 3. (v.4) After Alexander's untimely death (pneumonia in Babylon after an extended drunk) he divided the kingdom to four generals. Alexander ruled 12 years 8 months. He died 32 years 8 months. Cassander had control over Macedonia and Greece; Lysimachus governed Thrave and parts of Asia Minor; Ptolemy ruled over Egypt and Palestine; and Seleucus maintained control over northern Syria and Mesopotamia (Babylon). None of these were blood relatives (Alexander's only known child was murdered in a plot; he had an uncle who was mad). He had an illigetimate son named Hercules who was not recognized by the generals and was murdered by Polysperichon, along with his mother Barsine, Alexander's former mistress. Alexander's mother was murdered, his sister (Cleopatra queen of Epirus was murdered, within 15 years of his death none of his family remained alive--in fulfillment of the scripture. Gleason Archer: "The infant son of Alexander III (the Great) was Alexander IV, born of the Persian princess Roxana. Kept under Cassander's custody, he was removed by murder in 310 BC. His uncle, Philip Arrhidaeus, who was an illegitmate brother of Alexander III and mentally deranged, had already been assassinated in 317. Thus there were no descendents... to succeed Alexander himself, and the prediction "not to go to his descendents" found fulfillment. The four ruthless and powerful generals named above became the "Diadochi" (successors) who engineered the partition of the Macedonian Empire into four realms." The Power Struggles Between the Ptolemies and Seleucids (Daniel 11:5-35) 1. The prophetic focus shifts to the ongoing war between the Kings of the north and the south. The verse in (5) is fulfilled literally. One of Alexander's successor, Ptolmy Lagus becomes the Prince of Egypt (remember he is Greek) He founds a new dynasty in Egypt and proclaims the title Soter (Savior). Seleucus Nicator is appointed vice-regent of Babylon. He was driven out by the ambitious Antigonus. He fled to Egypt were he was received by Ptolemy. In the battle of Ipsus he was one Ptolmy's commander and really engineered the victory. (301 BC) Antigonus was defeated he received the lion's share of the victory. He took Cappadocia, part of Phyrigia, upper Syria, Mesopotoia and the Euphrates Valley, and reigned from the Hellespoint to Indus, and empire second only to Alexander. The King of the south was strong, but the king of the north was stronger. Literal fulfillemnt. 2. (v.6) The next prophecy focuses on a princesess. The prophetic stage is now occupied by the children of these two kings. Ptolomy the II Philadelphus, king of the south and Antiochus III Theos, king of the north. The kings
daughter of the south was Bernice. There was a temporary peace under Ptolmy II and Seleucus Nicator. Eventually Ptolmy abdicated and gave the throne to Philadelphus, the son of his second wife Bernice. Not long afterward, Antiochus Soter became the Syrian king and war broke out between Syria and Egypt. A halfbrother of Ptolmy Philadelphus, a son of Bernice, named Magas, married Apame, the daughter of Antiochus. The marriage became the cause of the first war between the two kingdoms. Magas had been appointed governor of Cyrene. Not content with that, he wanted to be the king of the province. He plotted to seize Egypt from Ptolomey his half-brother, and he persuaded his father-in-law Antiochus to support him by declaring war against Egypt. And so the ongoing wars continued. Only God could have predicted the specifics. 3. Antiochus Soter died (like all dictators) and was succeded by Antiochus Theos II, who continued the war with Egypt. At last, "in the end of years" Ptolmey offered Antiochus a bribe for peace. He would give him his daughter Berenice in marriage and a large dowery besides. However, Antiochus must divorce his wife Laodice and declare her two sons, Seleucus and Antiochus, to be illegitimate. When Antiochus (who was weak and selfabsorbed) agreed to the arrangement, Ptolemy bestowed a fortune on his daughter and sent her to Syria with great pomp. Both rulers dreamed this would bring a lasting peace and the offspring would rule both kingdoms. All went well until the death Ptolomey Philadelphus, when Antiochus repudiated Bernice and took back Laodice as his wife. Laodice, however distrusted her husband (for shafting her the first time) and eager to get the throne for her son, poisened Antiochus, clearing the way for the throne for Selecus Callinicus. Then Selecus was persuaded by his mother to kill Bernice (have her assisinated). She and the child who was heir to the throne were killed. Well the treaty ended in treachery and death. Ptolomy II Philadelphus, author of the treaty died. Antiochus II Theos was murdered. The poor Egyptian princess did "not retain the strength of her arm" nor did the schemeing Antiochus stand. Everyone connected with the treaty, died. So end treaties that are based on exedience, treachery and dishonor. 4. (vv.7-9) "one of the branches of her roots" regers to one of the other children of Bernice's parents--in fact her brother Ptolemy Euergetes (benefactor) who succeded his father to the throne. He was outraged at the treatment of his sister. Selecus the II Callinicus, now on the throne of Syria, would have to face the music (retribution vengence) Ptolemy raised an army to march and wipe out with blood the insult. He captured the Seleucia--"the fortress of the king of the north" and subjugated the country. Put Laodice to death, and treated the Syrians like dirt. He captured most of the syrian empire. His armies took Babylon and marched east to India. The prophecy said he would get great wealth and he did: 4000 talents of gold, 40,000 talents of silver, 2500 molten idols, and the sacred vessels. Pagans made off with each other's gods to prove that their gods were more powerful than their enemy. He signed a truce with Selecus for 10 years but the peace was not to last. Then the foolhardy Selecus made an attempt to invade Egypt. His fleet was lost in a storm, his forces were routed, and he was driven back to Syria in defeat. THE WARS OF ANTIOCHUS THE GREAT 1. 10-12 Seleucus Callinicus died of injuries in war. (He fell off his horse). He was succeeded on the throne by Selecucus III (first) Ceraunus, and on his death three years later by Antiochus III, afterward named MAGUS (the great) These sons were determined to restore the glory of Syria. and avenge their
father's defeat by Ptolomey. The fortified port city of Selecua was only 16 miles from Antioch. Was still in the hands of an Egyptian garrision. It was a reminder of the nations humiliation (it would be like if Mexico had an Air Base at the Alamo). Or the British maintained a fortress in Washington DC or worse the Vietmese had a base in Anaheim. But the garrison would have to wait. Seleucus Ceraunus was enthroned for just a few months when Attalus, the king of Pergamum had seized all the country beyond the Taurus mountains. He mounted an army, but tragedy was everywhere. His troops mutinied and killed the king. He was succeded on the throne by his brother Antiochis III. So then he had to defeat Attalus. Well the Syrian King mustered much more power. He decided to invade Egypt in the south and was defeated by Philopater. Philopater took the opportunity to annex Palestine into his kingdom. He made peace with Antiochus but deceded to profane the Jewish Temple. He demanded entrance into the Holy of Holies and was struck dumb. Before he could enter he fell to the ground speechless. By Philopater thought they had worked some kind of magic or witchcraft. Back in Egypt thousands of Jews were in his power. He killed some 40.000 for refusing to worship the gods of Egypt. He cast down many myriads. 2. (13-17) 13 years after the battle of Raphia (where he defeated Antiochus) Antiochus reorganized. He recovered Asia Minor and Parthia, Bactria, and Hyrcania. Then he subdued the empires east. He waited, retraced the steps of Alexander and conquered. Money and wealth flowed into his kingdom. He raised a vast army and again thought about Egypt. NOw he could set forth a multitude greater, than the former, and come with a great army and much riches." In the meantime old Philopater had died (Queen too) Historians believe they were poisened. Egypt was now in disarray and Ptolomey Epiphanes was only 4 years old. Everyone revolted---including the Jews. They threw in their lot with Antiochus (what a mistake) The jews who threw in their lot with Antiochus were called the "robbers of the people" or the violent among my people. They were apostate Jews who were convinced they needed to meddle in international afairs. But they misjudged Antiochus. 3. Verse 17. Antiochus decided to invade Egypt. He collects a vast army and navy and invades Egypt. But Antiochus receives a check to his ambitions. The Egyptian regent had appealed to a new power---rome. THe ROmans were not yet a world power but they were fresh off their victory of Hannibal and sack of Carthage. They had fought and won the second Macedonian war and taken Greece. Antiochus was beginning to encrouch on what the Romans thought of as their territory. It was no secret that Antiochus wanted to conqueor Pergamum, and Greece. Faced with intervention by Rome, Antiochus backed off. He resorted to diplomacy. He proposed to the Egyptians that his young daughter Cleopatria marry the young Ptolomey Epiphanes. Both were only children and Cleopatra is descibed in the text as "the daughter of women" this is an idiomatic expression which means a young child tender in age. Ptolemy was only 7 and Antiochus promised the entire revenue of Coele-Syria, Phoenicia and Palestine as a dowry. (a promise he never kept.) The marriage was celebrated at Raphia. Well Antiochus tried to corrupt the young girl who sided with her husband. Antiochus invated the coastal regions and the young girl wrote a letter to ROme. The Romans sent envoys--but Antiochus said that Rome had no vital interest in the area. The Romans had had it. The Roman consul Acilius met Antiochus at the pass of Thermoplae, defeated him and expelled him from Greece. He was defeated at sea by Livius, and Aemiliius, but the decisive battle was fought at Magnesia
(milk) near Smyrna in 190 BC. Antiochus' army of 80,000 men were defeated with terrible loss of life by Lucius Cornelius Scipio. Antiochus was forced to renounce all claims to any part of Europe or Asia Minor weset of the Taurus Mountains. His son Antiochus was carried off to Rome to insure his good behavior. He remained their 14 years and was fined 2550 talents of GOLD. A few months later Antiochus the Great was crossing his eastern provinces to raise money for the tribute, he tried to plunder the temple of BEL (the Elmaina Zeus). Furious local inhabitants killed him and his attendants. So as the scripture says he "stumbled and fell and was found no more" (11:19) VERSE 20: He was succeded by his son Selecus Philopater. All he did was raise taxes. He was tolerant and easy going and wanted peace. The tribute laid on the kingdom by Rome was hated by the people. Toward the end of his reign, being hard pressed for money. he sent his treasurer Heliodorus to Jerusalem. (Here called the glory of the kingdom) to raise more money. Heliodorus was detested by the Jews because of the merciless taxation (sound familiar?) The treasurer was informed their was great wealth in the temple (by Simon a Benjamite) who had a score to settle with Onias the high priest. Heliodorus tried to plunder the temple. He was prevented from doing it by a supernatural apparition which rose up as he entered the temple treasury. Soon after Phlopater died. (I think he was poisened by the tax collector). Thus the unsung king died "neither in anger or in battle". Conflicts Under Antiochus Epiphanes Daniel 11:21-45 (next Week) The buffer state of Israel was the constant battle ground for north and south. Israel was still being punished for her sins. The next section deals with Antiochus Epiphanes which means the appearance of God or God is here. 1. Antiochus is a type or shadow of the man of sin, antichrist. He comes to power through a series of intrigues. The last we saw--he was the son held hostage in Rome. (He hates Rome) He was still there when his brother took the Syrian throne after the deathof Antiochus the Great. Seleucus decided he needed his brother in Syria. He probably thought his contacts in Rome would help him negotiate a better terms for the kingdom. He arranges to send his own son Demetrius in exchange for his brother. On his way home from ROme Antiochus stops off in Greece (Athens) where he finds his brother has been murdered by none other than the tax collector Heliodorus--who had proclaimed himself king. King Ptolmey of Egypt also claimed the throne because his mother was Seleucus' sister. Antiochus dismissed both claims. Historians agree that Antiochus was vile or contemptable like the text. He was degraded and perhaps even possessed. His behavior was erratic. He was cruel, savage temper and was fond of "bad company". The honor of the kingdom was not his. It belonged to his nephew Demetrius who was now the prisoner of Rome. Well the friends of Demetrius put up the money for uncle Antiochus to take back the throne. He desposed the usurper and made the throne his own. Antiochus used flattery and cunning to deal with Syria and Rome. 2. Verse 22 His control of the priesthood (11:22) Significant Wars in the Future Some notes on the Antichrist. Application and Conclusion
God will accomplish all that he says he will. There will always be scoffers and mockers. Peter wrote: 2 Pet 3:3-4"knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." The end is approaching. We should live godly lives. We know that God will judge the world. We should be about our Father's business. Albert Einstein was once asked what weapons would be used in WWIII. He said I don't know but I'll tell you what weapons will be used in WW IV. Sticks and stones. People who face death--reduces things to the eternal and the temporal. Only two things on this earth will last forever--people and God's Word. What are you doing to invest in the eternal? How are you investing your life? How can you be more effective in presenting the claims of Christ to others? How am I investing my life in the Word of God? How can I make the time I spend studying the Scriptures more valuable?