DANIEL SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 11.36

Gleanings from the Book of Daniel:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

DANIEL

Chapter Eleven

Daniel’s Final Vision

The Prophecy

The Antichrist:

His Triumph

 

Introduction

From the preceding chapter, Daniel continues to be dictated to by the angel Gabriel (cf. Daniel 10:14). The remainder of Chapter 11 follows the construct of the first part of the chapter. Amazingly, since there are at least 135 detailed historically fulfilled prophecies in the first part of the chapter, it is therefore illogical to think the last verses of Chapter 11 will deviate in any way from God’s plan and purpose for the last days, i.e., Daniel’s Seventieth Week (see Daniel9:24-27).

 

Furthermore, in an anticipated manner, verse 36 is a transitional passage that signals a leap of over 2,000 years into the future. It pronounces the time of the end when God’s wrath against the Jewish nation will be accomplished, and the evil one is finally suppressed.

 

 

(Verse 36)

 

And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.

 

The King of the End Times

Compellingly, over the centuries the king has assumed several identities, for example:

1. Some say the king is referring to Herod the Great

2. Some attribute the king to the Roman government, i.e., an emperor or the senate

3. Some others reference the king as Antiochus IV Epiphanes

 

Without going into detail, the aforementioned do not correctly characterize the text, there may be some similarities, especially to Antiochus. Although an archetype of the Antichrist, however, the main objectives of Antiochus IV Epiphanes were the Hellenization of the Jewish religion and forcing Jews into worshiping Greek gods. Thence, this King Antiochus does not conform to the characterization of the passage.

 

Conversely, critical scholarship mainly agrees the king is the future end-times Antichrist, also known by several aliases - to name a few:

1. The little horn (cf. Daniel 7:8)

2. The king of fierce countenance (cf. Daniel 8:23)

3. The prince that shall come (cf. Daniel 9:26)

4. The man of sin (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:3)

5. The son of perdition (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:3)

6. The beast out of the sea (cf. Revelation 13:1)

 

The Character of Antichrist

Following is a particularized set of characteristics the Antichrist will exhibit:

1. He shall do according to his will (self-willed)

2. He shall exalt himself (pride)

3. He shall magnify himself above every god

4. He shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods

5. He shall prosper till the indignation (wrath) be accomplished

 

The king shall do according to his will

The Willful King

Since the Antichrist is empowered by Satan (cf. Revelation 13:2) he will have the license to do as he pleases. He will also gain command, not by military conquest but through the ten kings who will submit to him (cf. Daniel 7:8; Revelation 17:12-13) and not be accountable to any human authority. Therefore, he will be able to establish a limitless absolute earthly monarchy.

 

And he shall exalt himself

The Exalted King

By assuming absolute authority, the willful king, Antichrist, will exalt himself above everyone and everything that is to be worshipped.

 

And magnify himself above every god

The Magnified King

In the last days, Antichrist will exhibit extreme pride and haughtiness. He will magnify himself to be a god and expect to be worshipped above every other god. Just as Antiochus IV Epiphanes tried to force the Jewish people to worship the gods of the Greeks, Antichrist instead will require everyone to pay homage to him. Two-thirds will be slaughtered for failing to do so (cf. Zechariah 13:8).

 

And shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods

The Fearful King

The phrase marvellous things are rendered as astonishing, extraordinary, or unbelievable things. The Antichrist is going to scream out terrible blasphemies against the Most High God. They will encompass insults no one else could ever think or even dare to say if they could (cf. Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:5-6).

 

And shall prosper till the indignation (wrath) be accomplished

The Prosperous King

During the last three and one-half years of the Great Tribulation, Antichrist will be a successful ruler until God’s indignation against His chosen people has elapsed (cf. Isaiah 10:25; 26:20; Daniel 8:19). Then judgment will be meted out to him at the end of days (cf. Revelation 19:19-20).

 

Finally,

For that that is determined shall be done

For everything thus far, the determination has been irrevocably made by God as to when the events shall continue, i.e., until God’s indignation and divine purposes against His people and the reign of the Antichrist are accomplished

Jeremiah 30:7 - Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he (God’s people, the remnant) shall be saved out of it.

 

 

(Verse 37)

 

Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.

 

Verse 37 is a continuation of the previous verse. It presents additional character traits of the King of the End Times:

6. He shall not regard the God of his fathers

7. He shall not have the desire of women

8. He shall not regard any god

9. He shall magnify himself above all

 

Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers

The Indifferent King

The interpretation of the phrase the God of his fathers has been problematic for some in a few ways:

1. Some take it to mean Daniel is referring to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (cf. Exodus 3:15). If this be the case, the assumption is the Antichrist will be of Jewish descent, an apostate Jew.

 

2. Others claim the Antichrist will have no respect for any of the pagan gods of his heritage therefore he will more likely be a Gentile.

 

3. Still, others claim since the Antichrist will be the final ruler of the Revived Roman Empire, i.e., the little horn (cf. Daniel 7:8), he must be a Gentile.

 

The best explanation reads as such: The name of God is Elohim, the general word attributed to God. Yahweh, on the other hand, emphasizes God’s covenantal name used in relationship to His chosen people, Israel. Hence, there is both a plural translation (gods) as well as a singular one (God). So, the latter may be the closest clarification, i.e., a Gentile. 

 

Nor the desire of women

The Unaffectionate King

The Antichrist will not have the desire of women. Here is another ambiguous phrase with some justifications:

1. The natural aspiration of all Hebrew women in the Old Testament was to bear the Messiah. So, this passage connects the Antichrist with Jesus Christ in an incontrovertible way.

a.  This appears to be a weak argument, simply because if the Antichrist is to be a world ruler, then the desire of Gentile women would not be applicable.

 

2. Some conclude the Antichrist will be celibate or a homosexual.

3. Still, others say the things characteristic of women such as mercy, gentleness, compassion, and kindness are detestable to him.

 

4. Others speculate the Antichrist will be abusive to women.

 

5. And others discredit the Antichrist as having normal love within marriage and family relationships (cf. 1 Timothy 4:3).

a.  This view seems to be the most sensible.

 

Nor regard any god

The inattentive King

The Antichrist will openly oppose all religious worship except the worship for himself. Not only will he reject the worship of any supernatural power, pagan gods, but especially the one True God. And as a result, the Antichrist will be completely irreligious from which even the most selfish and savage of men will accept him as an atheist in power.

 

For he shall magnify himself above all

The “god manifest” King

As stated previously in verse 36, by his self-will and adulation (see Revelation 13:15-17), he will utilize military means to accomplish his task. Yes, the Antichrist will magnify himself to be the Messiah. Interestingly, Antiochus IV Epiphanes had designated himself as “god manifest,” which even appeared on the coins he minted.

 

 

(Verse 38)

 

But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.

 

The god of War

Six other times in the book of Daniel the word fortresses or its derivative is used, and in each case the word designates a stronghold or fort, thus indicating strength. This strongly suggests the Antichrist will use the military to gain world domination, control, and dictatorship.

 

Solely worshipping a god of military might (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:4) will be peculiarly different from any god or gods unknown to his ancestors. By the way, the capitalized word God used here is translated Eloah in Hebrew. It is in the singular form and is referencing a pagan god or goddess.

 

Now to accomplish this task and gain military success, the Antichrist will capture all the world’s wealthy resources. Gold, silver, precious stones, and pleasant things, i.e., desirable and expensive material goods will be spent to acquire armaments for his war machine.

 

 

(Verse 39)

 

Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many and shall divide the land for gain.

 

The First World Dictator

Honouring this great god of military might, the Antichrist will go on to victoriously invade many countries and overwhelm them. He will attain world domination along with his atheistic government.

 

As a result of his conquests, the Antichrist will disperse valuable property to his followers as he pleases and place them in positions of power. This will obligate those he conquered to be obedient to him. Concurrently, the Antichrist will go forth to deceive and offer a false peace treaty of protection for everyone.

 

Relevant to this passage, Jesus predicted:

John 5:43 - I am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

 

 

In the upcoming segment, the Antichrist’s rise to power is short-lived and his demise is rapidly expiring, in God’s appointed time, of course.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1. Who is the king of the end times?

2. How does he derive his authority and power?

3. How does he exalt himself?

4. What does the desire of women mean in verse 37?

5. What new god does he honour?

6. How does he conquer the world?

7. Why do people worship and obey him?

 

 

 

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