| Chapters 10-12 go together as a final vision / message to Daniel. In Chapter 10, we have seen a great appearance of Christ, as well as some appearances of angels. Daniel had been fervently asking for more understanding of the things that had been revealed to him previously in chapters 2, 7-9 (Daniel 10:12). Earlier, Gabriel was sent to him (Daniel 9:20-27) to explain the visions. In chapters 10-12, even more detail is being given. Though covering “The Times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24 ~ see supplement at the end of this lesson), the particular focus is on the future of the people of Israel (Daniel 10:14). The angel that spoke to Daniel (possibly Gabriel) began to talk in chapter 10 and is continuing as we read chapter 11. So, in Daniel 11:1 the word “I” is a reference to the angel, not Daniel.
The amazing prophecies of this chapter are a main reason why liberal scholars try to deny that the book was written in the sixth century B.C. So, many events, in the period of the Maccabees, precisely fulfilled Daniel’s prophecies, that those who do not believe in predictive prophecy claim that the book was written just after those events. Therefore, they date the book as being written in the second century B.C. (around 165 B.C.). Of course, some prophecies have not been fulfilled yet, but the fact that God’s Word has been accurate so far should encourage us that the rest of the prophecies shall also be fulfilled.
| I. Prophecies already fulfilled – Daniel 11:1-35 |
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A. Persia – Daniel 11:1-2 |
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| | | 1. Presently, Daniel is with Darius, who serves under Cyrus |
| | | 2. Four Kings shall follow Cyrus: Cambyses, Pseudo Smerdis, Darius I Hystapes and Xerxes (Ahasuerus in the Book of Esther). Xerxes is the most important and powerful of these four kings. |
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B. Greece – Daniel 11:3-4 |
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| | | 1. The mighty king is Alexander the Great. He conquered the Persians in 332 B.C. and died in 323 B.C. |
| | | 2. After his death the Grecian empire was divided between four generals: Cassander, Lysimachus, Ptolemy and Seleucus |
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C. Egypt & Syria – Daniel 11:5-20 |
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| | | 1. King of the South (Egypt) is General Ptolemy I Soter (323-283 B.C.) |
| | | 2. King of the North (Syria with Mesopotamia) General Seleucus I Nicator (312-280 B.C.) |
| | | 3. Daniel 11:5-20 discusses the conflict between these two generals and their successors
– the Ptolomies and the Seleucids |
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D. Antiochus IV Epiphanes & Syria – Daniel 11:21-35 |
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| | | 1. Previously discussed in Daniel 8:9-14. |
| | | 2. He is a type of the Antichrist. |
| | | 3. He named himself “Epiphanes” (Glorious One), but God calls him “a vile (contemptible) person” (Daniel 11:21). |
| | | 4. He was particularly cruel and harsh to the Jews, defiling their temple. After a Roman fleet (“ships of Chittim” or “Kittim” or “western coastlands”– Daniel 11:30) repelled his attempt to conquer Egypt, he turned back with increased hatred of the Jews. Some Jews betrayed their covenant with God and joined him. Others resisted and defeated Antiochus. On December 14th, 165 B.C. the temple was purified from its defilement and the feast of Lights was established (Hanukkah). See Daniel 11:30-35. |
Antiochus died in Persia 163 B.C. He was declared insane and his title “Epiphanes” (glorious one) was changed to “Epimanes” (madman). See Psalm 37:1-13, 35-40.
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Suppliment: The Gentile Nations Revealed in Daniel Chapters 2 & 7
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Kingdom
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Chapter Two
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Chapter Seven
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Babylon
(606-539 B.C.)
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Head of Gold
(2:36-38)
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Winged Lion
(7:4)
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Medo-Persia
(539-330 B.C.)
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Arms & Chest of Silver
(2:32,39)
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Bear
(7:5)
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Greece
(330-150 B.C.)
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Thighs of Brass
(2:32,39)
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Leopard
(7:6)
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Rome
(150 B.C. – A.D. 500)
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Legs of Iron
(2:33,40)
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Dreadful Beast
(7:7)
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Kingdom of Anti-Christ
(Future)
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Feet of Iron & Clay
(2:41-43)
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Little Horn
(7:8)
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Daniel 11:36-45 will be studied with chapter 12 – Here’s what’s ahead…
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II. Prophecies yet to be fulfilled. – Daniel 11:36 – 12:3 |
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A. The Tribulation & The Antichrist – Daniel 11:36 – 12:1 |
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B. The Promised Kingdom – Daniel 12:2-3 |
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| III. Final Instructions to Daniel 12:4-13
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Note: The outline for this lesson was derived from “The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe, Cook Publishers, Page 299. |
