What I Noticed Today (Daniel 10-12)
Daniel 10
In verses 1-3, Daniel receives his final vision from the Lord in the third year of the reign of Cyrus (536 B.C.). Daniel fasted for three weeks and did not anoint himself with oil (literally says “three sevens of days”). According to Daniel 10:12, he was concerned for the people who had returned to Israel.
Note: If Daniel were 15 or 16 when he was exiled to Babylon, he would now be 84-85 years old.
Note: The exiled Jewish population of some 50,000 people left Babylon in 535 B.C. to return home to Israel.
In verses 4-11, Daniel was standing on the bank of the Tigris river (20 miles from Babylon) and saw an angel. The men who were with Daniel could not see the vision, but they either saw the angel's light or sensed something because they all fled, leaving Daniel alone. Daniel fell to the ground, face down in a deep sleep. The angel touched him and told him to get up, saying Daniel was greatly loved, and he had a message for him.
Note: Some think the description in verses 4-11 is of pre-incarnate Christ because it is similar to the description in Revelation 1:13-16. However, this is improbable since the prince of Persia would not hinder Christ, nor would He need the help of the angel Michael (Daniel 10:13).
In verses 12-14, the angel told Daniel not to be afraid. God had sent him (the angel) as soon as he heard Daniel’s prayer, but the angel had been delayed 2- days by the prince of Persia (a demon assigned to Persia). Michael, one of the chief princes of angels (often referred to as an archangel), came to help free the angel from the battle with the demon. The angel explained he was sent to explain things that are yet to come in the latter days (end times).
In verses 15-21, Daniel heard the angel and fell down mute. The angel touched his lips, and he spoke to the angel, saying the vision had left him with no strength. The angel explained as he was leaving and that when he returned, he would fight the prince of Persia, and the prince of Greece would come (another demon), and Michael would help him.
Note: Daniel addressed the angel as “my lord.” This is a term of respect, like saying “sir” or “master.” It is not a reference to Christ.
Daniel 11
Note: In Daniel 11:1-35, the prophecies are given in Daniel’s time and have been fulfilled. The prophecies of Daniel 11:36-12:3 will be fulfilled during the Tribulation period.
In verses 1-2, the angel continued his explanation. He said three more kings would arise in Persia, then a fourth, and when this fourth king grew strong enough, he would stir up the kingdom against Greece.
Note: The four Persian kings who succeeded Cyrus were Cambyses, his son (529-522 B.C., then Pseudo-Smerdis (522-521 B.C.), Darius I Hystaspes (521-486 B.C.), and finally Xerxes (485-465 B.C. referred to in the book of Esther as Ahasuerus). Xerxes did wage war against Greece in 480 B.C.
In verses 3-4, a mighty king will arise (Alexander) whose kingdom will be split among his four generals because he had no children: Seleucus (Syria and Mesopotamia), Ptolemy (Egypt), Lysimachus (Thrace and portions of Asia Minor), and Cassander (Macedonia and Greece).
Note: These are the four heads of the leopard described in Daniel 7:6 and the goat's four horns in Daniel 8:8.
In verses 5-6, the king of the south is Ptolemy I Soter (one of Alexander’s generals). The commander referred to in verse 5 is Seleucus I Nicator (another of Alexander’s generals). Ptolemy II (Ptolemy I’s son) and Antiochus II (Seleucus’s grandson) made an alliance (about 250 B.C.) when Ptolemy II’s daughter Berenice married Antiochus II. Antiochus’ first wife, Laodice, killed Berenice (she did not retain the strength of her arm). Laodice then poisoned Antiochus II and made her son Seleucus II king (246- 227 B.C.).
In verses 7-8, Berenice’s brother, Ptolemy III (246-221), avenged the murder of his sister in a battle with the Syrian army. He put Laodice to death and returned to Egypt.
In verses 9-10, Seleucus II Callinicus (north) attempted to invade Egypt (south) but was unsuccessful. He was succeeded by his son Seleucus II Soter (227-223 B.C.), who was killed by his brothers and was succeeded by his brother Antiochus III (223-187 B.C.).
In verses 11-13, the king of the south was Ptolemy IV Philapator (221-204 B.C.). He came against Antiochus III and slaughtered tens of thousands, but Antiochus returned with a larger army and drove Ptolemy back.
In verses 14-17, Philip V of Macedonia formed an alliance with Antiochus III against Egypt. Many of Daniel’s own people joined in the fight against Egypt. The fortified city was Sidon, which Antiochus captured in 203 B.C. He attempted to forge a peaceful alliance by giving his daughter in marriage to Ptolemy V of Egypt but was unsuccessful.
In verses 18-19, Antiochus III attempted to conquer Asia Minor (197 B.C.) and Greece (192 B.C.), but he was told to turn back to Rome (188 B.C.) and died there in 187 B.C.
In verse 20, Antiochus III’s son, Seleucus IV (187-176 B.C.), taxed his people heavily to pay Rome but was poisoned by his treasurer Heliodorus (he shall be broken neither in anger nor in battle).
In verses 21-22, Antiochus IV, described as a contemptible person, became king because of his flatteries and ability to defeat an invader. The prince of the covenant was a high priest known as Onias III.
In verses 23-24, Antiochus’ power increased because he redistributed the kingdom’s wealth to a few powerful friends.
In verses 25-28, Antiochus waged war with Egypt in 170 B.C. The Egyptians had a larger army but were defeated by Antiochus. Antiochus and Egypt feigned friendship with each other, but both were deceitful. Antiochus carried a great deal of plunder home.
In verses 29-30, Antiochus waged war against Egypt again two years later (168 B.C.). Rome opposed him (ships from Kittim) and forced him to withdraw. On his way home, enraged, he desecrated the holy temple, abolished the daily sacrifices, killed thousands, took women and children as slaves, and burned the city. He set up an abomination (altar to Zeus) on December 16, 167 B.C. Many Israelites worshiped the false god, but a small remnant remained faithful.
In verses 33-35, He persecuted those who remained faithful to God through famine and killing with the sword. The persecution would continue until the appointed time.
Note: This was the beginning of the Maccabean revolt in 166 B.C., so named for Judas Maccabean, who led the revolt.
In verses 36-45, the focus of the prophecy shifts to the end of days. The “king” referred to in these verses is the Antichrist, the “little horn” of Daniel 7:8, 20, 24-25.
In verses 36-39, the Antichrist exalts himself and prospers, paying no attention to his fathers' gods. He will magnify himself above all. He will build his military power and accumulate riches. Those who submit to him will be rewarded with riches in the form of land.
In verses 40-45, “At the time of the end” is the second half of the 70th seven of years (the middle of the tribulation period). The king of the south (Egypt) will attack Israel. Simultaneously, the king of the north (Gog and Magog) will also attack Israel. They both will fight against the Antichrist. The Antichrist's armies will sweep through many countries like a flood into Israel (the Beautiful Land). He will strike first against Egypt; then, when he hears news about an attack from the north, he will go out and pitch his tent between the seas (the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean) at the glorious mountain (probably Jerusalem). No one will come to help him, and he will die there.
Here's is a great graphic that illustrates who's who in the Ptolemy and Seleucid dynasties from Neverthristy.org:
This map illustrates the land referred to in the Ptolemy and Seleucid dynasties from Schwartzenrover.com:
In verses 1-4, the angel assured Daniel that at that time, the angel Michael, who is appointed to protect the people of Israel (your people), will intervene against the Antichrist. It will be a time of great distress, but those whose name is written in the book of life, even those who have died, will be resurrected. Some to everlasting life and some to shame. Those who remain faithful throughout this time of persecution will shine like stars forever.
With the vision and the explanation concluded, Daniel was ordered to seal the book until the end times.
Note: The resurrection of believers martyred during the Great Tribulation will occur when Christ returns for His Millennial reign (Revelation 20:4).
In verses 5-7, Daniel saw two men (angels) standing on either side of a river's banks. One angel asked how long it will be until the end of these wonders (referring to the vision). The angel clothed in linen said it would be for a time, times, and half a time (3-1/2 years).
In verses 8-10, Daniel heard the angel but did not understand what the final outcome would be. The angel told him the words of the book were sealed until the end of times. The wise will understand, but the wicked will not.
In verses 11-13, the angel said from the time the sacrifices are stopped, and the abomination takes place, it will be 1,290 days. The person who waits 1,335 days will be blessed (perhaps the day of Christ’s return). With that, the angel tells Daniel to go rest; he will be in his allotted place at the end of days.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
