DANIEL SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 11.28

Gleanings from the Book of Daniel:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

DANIEL

Chapter Eleven

Daniel’s Final Vision

The Prophecy

The Ptolemaic and Seleucidae Wars

Part V

Antiochus IV Epiphanes Part II

 

Review

Verse 28 continues the account of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Following the death of his father Antiochus III the Great, Antiochus IV Epiphanes. the younger of his three sons usurped his two older brothers and ascended to the Syrian throne by deceit and bribery.

 

After initiating a peace treaty with Ptolemy VI Philometer of Egypt, Antiochus IV Epiphanes gathered together Jewish mercenaries and sacked the rich areas of Egypt. He then distributed the pillage amongst his friends and followers. a venture his ancestors were unable to achieve.

 

The battle of Pelusium brought about a successful military operation against Egypt.  This defeat forced the two rulers to a conference table negotiation in a battle of the wits, whereby each (Antiochus IV Epiphanes and Ptolemy VI Philometer) sought to gain the upper hand. However, since every action was under God’s direct sovereign control, the peace proposals were unsuccessful.

 

 

(Verse 28)

 

Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.

 

The First Assault against Israel’s Theocracy

As a result of the peace summit between the two nations, the king of the North failed to gain complete control over Egypt.  According to some sources, there was great rejoicing in Jerusalem for the Jews heard rumors Antiochus IV Epiphanes had been killed. However, when the truth was exposed, Antiochus was found en route to his homeland with his accumulated riches, Notwithstanding, Antiochus IV Epiphanes took his frustrations out by manifesting psychopathic animosity against the holy covenant i.e., a reference to the Temple in Jerusalem and God’s covenantal people while marching his army north through Palestine.

 

During the first wave of racist attacks, several exploits transpired:

1. The City of Jerusalem was attacked and pillaged

2. The Temple was ransacked of its treasures and carried off to Antioch, Additionally:  

a.  He robbed the golden altar and golden vessels

b.  He confiscated over 18,000 talents of gold and silver

 

Now having the combined wealth of the Egyptian cities, along with the gold and silver artifacts from the Temple treasury, Antiochus IV Epiphanes continued northward to his own country.

 

 

(Verse 29)

 

At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.

 

A Repeat Performance

At the time appointed, i.e., a time designated under God’s providence, Antiochus IV Epiphanes attempted another invasion of Egypt as he did before. Consequently, the outcome of this campaign was unsuccessful.

 

 

(Verse 30)

 

For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.

 

Egyptian Allied Forces

The ships of Chittim were battleships from Cyprus and the surrounding islands of the Mediterranean Sea [Compellingly, they are also mentioned in the prophecy of Balaam (Numbers 24:24)]. The Septuagint translates them as warships of the Roman fleet, mainly because Rome controlled the entire area.

 

Back Story

In the same year, 168 B.C., Antiochus IV Epiphanes engaged in a second offensive against Egypt. Meanwhile, Ptolemy had appealed to Rome for military assistance.

 

Arriving about four miles from the walls of Alexandria, Egypt, Antiochus IV Epiphanes was met by a Roman consul, General Gaius Popillius Laenas, and confronted with a letter from the Roman Senate stating he cease any further aggression.

 

Antiochus IV Epiphanes wanted to consult his friends and continue his pursuits. But, the Roman legate presented Antiochus with an ultimatum: With his staff, Gaius Laenas drew a circle in the sand where he was positioned and said in effect, “Take as long as you want but do not leave the circle until you have made up your mind. Either you desist from the annexation of Egypt or face war with Rome.”   

 

At that point, an extremely grieved (dispirited, humiliated) Antiochus IV Epiphanes ceded to the Romans.

 

Therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant

Retaliation

Upon his retreat, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, filled with wrath against Jerusalem and the Jews, set his furious indignation against the holy covenant.

 

There were several apostate Jews (mercenaries) who had betrayed their covenant and populace. Antiochus IV Epiphanes had intelligence, i.e., having understanding, showing favor, or regard,  and with their help, he executed persecutions against the Mosaic order. He also looked for those who would stand with him against any Roman or Jewish aggression. Verse 31 expounds…

 

Post Script

Rome's involvement with Israel began at the time of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Within 150 years, Rome was dominant and Herod the Great undertook the project to rebuild its Temple which Antiochus had destroyed. The main objective of the Romans was to maintain Pax Romana by suppressing any revolts.

 

 

(Verse 31)

 

And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. [Emphasis mine].

 

The Second Assault Against Israel’s Theocracy

The second invasion of Egypt brought Antiochus IV Epiphanes even deeper frustration. So intent on exacting revenge on God’s covenantal people, Antiochus IV Epiphanes sent his general Apollonius with his armed forces of 22,000 soldiers into Jerusalem claiming to be on a peaceful mission.

 

The Desecration

Hence, the Jews were attacked and the Temple was made desolate. The subsequent is an abridged tabulation of Anti-Semitic atrocities, all enacted on the Sabbath:

1. The entire Mosaics system was outlawed

2. The religious observances were halted

3. The reading of Scripture was forbidden

4. The act of circumcision was stopped

5. The daily sacrifice was removed from the Temple

6. The practice of religious harlotry became mandatory

7. The participation in drunken orgies in honor of Bacchus, the god of wine Noninvolvement meant death

8. The act of fornication with pagans became an essential practice

9. The sacrifice of a sow on the Temple altar made the desecration

10.             The priests were forced to eat pork

11.             The broth of swine was sprinkled all over the Temple

12.             The statue of the Olympian Zeus (Jupiter, its Roman counterpart) was erected to be worshipped in the Holy of Holies

13.             The massacre of 40,000 Jews, shortly thereafter, then an additional 60,000

14.             The frying of people alive on a specially built frying pan in the Temple precincts

15.             The slaughter of mothers and their children on the Sabbath

16.                     The Jews were compelled to offer a pig on the twenty-fifth of each month to commemorate the birthday of Antiochus IV Epiphanes

 

The abomination that maketh desolate

Here, the Abomination that maketh Desolate is a historical picture of Antiochus IV Epiphanes profaning the Temple. But inadvertently, the term is going to prefigure the future Antichrist of the Last Days who will come in the spirit of Antiochus only with much worse atrocities.

 

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ will use the historical account of Antiochus IV Epiphanes in His Olivet Discourse. Jesus predicts the coming man of sin and his activities will foreshadow the persecution of Israel and the desecration of the Temple:

Matthew 24:15 - When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

 

The Old Testament

In other words, to understand the End Times and the Book of Revelation, one should begin by reading the prophet Daniel (see also Daniel 8:23-25).

 

The New Testament

Apart from the Book of Revelation, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 also talks about the coming of Antichrist proclaiming him to be god. But notice, it is still in the future when Paul penned this prophetic verse.

 

 

(Verse 32)

 

And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.

 

Godly Resistance

There was continuous opposition to the Jewish faith because many Jews were deceived by the flatteries i.e., promises of favor from Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Although these apostates violated and forsook their covenant, and its sign, circumcision, they foolishly succumbed to worship the god Zeus.

 

 It was during this time, many God-fearing Jews revolted against this wicked blasphemy and stood firm in their faith, even with suffering and the threat of persecution and martyrdom. Daniel was told by Gabriel the people who do know their God will resist the evil one (cf. James 4:7) and remain strong in their faith.

 

But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits

The Rise of the Maccabeans

Eventually, there rose a pious religionist sect, the Hasidim, led by Mattathias and his sons who were intent on preserving the Mosaic Law. One son, Judas Maccabee (the hammer), a brilliant charismatic military tactician engaged in exploits, i.e., he ultimately achieved their purpose. And, with a contingent of rebellious partisans, they enjoyed a notable measure of success and withstood Antiochus IV Epiphanes. [Note: most of the historical events are recorded in the Apocrypha].

 

 

(Verse 33)

 

And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.

 

Temporary Gallantry

There was a movement already underway in Israel. When the Hasidim faced extinction, small groups of wise leaders rose who understood and had a spiritual insight about God. They were instrumental in instructing many not to participate in the false religious system of Antiochus IV Epiphanes and fight against the Hellenization of Judea. However, their success was short-lived.

 

Even with the intent of being a spiritual revival, this conflict brought about significant anguish for the children of Israel. The majority of them faced persecution in several ways:

1. Their suffering was by the sword, i.e., many were killed in battle

2. Their suffering was by the flame, i.e., many were burned alive

3. Their suffering was by captivity, i.e., many were incarcerated

4. Their suffering was by spoiling, i.e., many were robbed of all their possessions

Josephus tells us the persecution lasted many days, which was about three years.

 

 

(Verse 34)

 

Now when they shall fall, they shall be helped with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.

 

Brief Relief

At the onset, the God-fearing Jews received little assistance from their apostate countrymen. Historically known as the Maccabean Revolt, these Jews took part in the cleansing of the Temple on December 25, 165 B.C. Nonetheless, they eventually succumbed to the flatteries of Antiochus IV Epiphanes and defected from their fellow compatriots.

 

 

(Verse 35)

 

And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

 

The Sovereign Plan of God

Daniel’s revelation envisions God allowing His people to encompass affliction through the Roman Empire and continue into the period of the revived Roman Empire.

 

Suffering drives people to God. So, whether it be those who understand or those who are instructed, Only God will allow His people to endure persecution for several reasons:

1. To have them fall or stumble to strengthen them

2. To test, try, or refine them to strengthen their faith

3. To purge, cleanse, and made them spotless to sanctify them

 

Even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed

The time of the end is a transitional phrase in Daniel’s prophecy. It leaps forward in history from that day of Antiochus IV Epiphanes into a day generations later which is yet future, the day of the final Antichrist. Again, a time appointed refers to God’s purpose, decided time, under His divine control. He is looking ahead to the Age of the Messiah when all trials shall end, everyone who has been made righteous serves the Lord, and a New Age commences.

 

 

The first thirty-five verses have been historically fulfilled. This is supporting evidence that prophecy yet unfulfilled will come to pass precisely as written. Jesus Christ is the last great hope for mankind. Verses 36 through 39 elaborate on the triumph of the final Antichrist. Next…

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1. What was Antiochus’ motivation to conquer Egypt?

2. What was the outcome of his first attempt?

3. What was the outcome of his second attempt?

4. How were the Jews affected by his first campaign?

5. How were the Jews affected by his second campaign?

6. What does the abomination that maketh desolate mean?

7. How did Antiochus corrupt the people by flatteries?

 

 

 

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