DANIEL
CHAPTER TEN, ELEVEN AND 
TWELVE PART 2

THE LATTER DAYS

These last three chapters make up one entire vision that Daniel received which gives to him some inside knowledge of the activity with the things that will come in the latter days upon his people.

Chapter 10 is an introductory chapter:
Chapter 11 is the essence of the vision:
Chapter 12 is climactical in nature and concludes the vision.

We will study these chapters individually, verse by verse, as we have done with the preceding chapters, but yet we will see some repeats of what we have already studied especially in chapters two, seven and eight concerning prophecy of the Gentile governments.

II. DANIEL’S VISION. Daniel 11:1—45

“And now will I shew thee the truth.” (2)

This doesn’t mean that the Lord was not telling the truth to Daniel, but it speaks of the fact that the Lord will now reveal to him the truths concerning the visions that he had seen.

Here the spirit of prophecy returns to that which more immediately concerned Daniel and his royal masters, the fall of the Medo-Persia Empire which Daniel was such a part.

In this chapter we will see:

1. The fall of the Medo-Persia Empire and the rise of the Grecian Empire. 11:1-4

2. The rise and divisions of the Grecian Empire. 11:5-20

3. The rise and destruction of Antiochus Epiphanes, a type of the Antichrist. 11:21-

4. The rise of the Antichrist. 11:36-45

A. The fall of Medo-Persia and the rise of the Grecian Empire. Daniel 11:1—4

The Babylon Empire falls to the Medo-Persia Empire in Daniel 5:30-31.

Now, the Medo-Persia Empire has run its course and they shall fall to the Grecian Empire.

One of the reasons for the fall of the Medo-Persia Empire is because of the hindrance that was done toward the work of the Lord in Daniel 10:13, 20.

1. Gabriel strengthens Darius the king. (1)

It seems in reading all the chapters of Daniel that Gabriel was the spokesman to Daniel.

We left chapter 10 believing it was Gabriel who was fulfilling his word to Daniel. (8:16) (9:21)

And, as we open chapter 11 we don’t change persons, thus, it seems that Gabriel is still doing the talking and the interpreting to Daniel.

Darius the king and Daniel respected each other greatly, and no doubt because of Darius relationship with Daniel he was blessed of the Lord. Daniel 6:12—14

So in the matter of Daniel and the Lion’s Den, we see the manifestation of God’s grace upon Daniel, and also, God preserving Darius the king in his kingdom.

2. Gabriel shows Daniel that the Empire of Medo-Persia will be governed by four more kings. (2)

Each one of these kings increased in riches until the fourth king becomes the envy of the world.

Because of these great riches, he will be conquered and overthrown by the Grecian Empire.

It has been stated that these kings were, beside Darius —Cryus - Artaxasta —Ahasuerus — who married Ester.

The fourth king was Xerxes of whose wealth the Greek’s take notice.

“By his strength” speaks of his army believed to be 2 million men strong.

“through his riches” speaks of the great wealth that he had to pay such a great army with. This drew the attention of the Greeks.  (Matthew Henry)

3.Gabriel shows Daniel the rise of Alexander the Great. (3-4)

The Grecian Empire came on the scene with Alexander the Great as its king.

It is said of him —

(a) That he was a mighty king:
(b) That he would rule with great dominion:

(C) That he would do according to his will.

It was Alexander the Great, as a young man in his early thirties, wept for there were no more worlds to conquer. He died in his early thirties.

He had the world under his control, but not life.

4. Gabriel shows Daniel that the Grecian kingdom would be divided. (4)

The Grecian Empire was a mighty empire at its beginning but after the death of Alexander the Great, the kingdom was divided into four parts, his four main generals getting a part each.

Daniel 7:6 (four wings)

Daniel 8:8 (four notable horns)

In most cases the son of the king would assume the kingdom but no so in Alexander’s kingdom. It didn’t go to his family.

Ariderus, his brother, was made king in Macedonia; Olympias, Alexander’s mother, killed him, and poisoned Alexander’s two sons, Hercules and Alexander.

Thus, was his family rooted out by its own hands.  (Matthew Henry)

How much longer that Daniel lived we do not know, but the words of the Lord were fulfilled and today this prophecy is what we call history.

The Grecian Empire came into being around the year 330 to 150 B.C.

This is the thigh of brass:  chapter 2:39

This is the Leopard with four wings:  chapter 7:6

B. The rise and divisions of the Grecian Empire. Daniel 11:5-20

The Grecian Empire was to be a divided empire and full of great corruption. This is plain to see not only as you read the Book of Daniel, but also in your history books.

1. The division in the South. (5)

One of the generals in Alexander the Great’s army went south to Egypt and became a great power, named Ptolemaues Lagus.

The countries that at first belonged to Ptolemy are reckoned to be Egypt, Phoenicia, Arabia, Libya, and Ethiopia. (Matthew Henry)

2. The division in the North.	(6)

The kingdom of the North is Syria, Seleucus Nicanor set up this kingdom and also became great.

He was one of Alexander’s princes, and became stronger than the others, and had the greatest dominion of all, and was the most powerful of all Alexander’s successors.

It has been said that he had no fewer than 72 countries under him.

Both the king of the South and the king of the North were anti-Jewish.

Ptolemy, soon after he gained Egypt invaded Judea, and took Jerusalem on a Sabbath, pretending a friendly visit.

Seleucus also gave a lot of disturbance to Judea.

3. The war between the two. (7-20)

These two kingdoms seemed to have spent much of their time fighting each other.

We will not follow the events laid out for us in these verses but it would do us well to note that these verses teaches us that wickedness breeds wickedness, and the final results is death.

Corruptness and shame of all manner was displayed in the lives of these people.

Remember that this Grecian Empire took place in the time we call the 400 silent years between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

That is why we have only the prophecy of it, but nothing about its history written in the Scriptures.

Below is an outline of some great truths that is outlined for us by Matthew Henry.

#1 We learn that God in his providence sets up one, and pulls down another, as he pleases, advances some from low beginnings and depresses others that were very high. Some have called great men the foot-balls of fortune; or, rather, they are the tools of Providence.

#2 We learn that this world is full of wars and fighting, which come from men’s lust, and make it a theater of sin and misery.

#3 We learn that all the changes and revolutions of states and kingdoms, and every event, even the most minute and contingent, were plainly and perfectly foreseen by the God of heaven, and to him nothing is new.

#4 We learn that no word of God shall fall to the ground; but what he has designed, what he has declared, shall infallibly come to pass; and even the sins of men shall be made to serve his purpose, and contribute to the bringing of his counsels to birth in their season; and yet God is not the author of sin.

#5 We learn that, for the right understanding of some parts of scripture, it is necessary that heathen authors be consulted, which give light to the scripture, and show the accomplishment of what is there foretold; we have therefore reason to bless God for the human learning with which may have done great service to divine truths.

(History written by secular men proves these Scriptures of Daniel to be very true.)

C. The rise of Antiochus Epiphanes, a Type of the Antichrist. Daniel 11:21—35.

We have already covered some of this material in the lessons on chapter seven and eight.

(Note page 6 in the lesson on chapter eight)

For more information concerning the events of this wicked king and his wickedness toward Israel read the works of Josephus.

The Antiquities of the Jews.

Chapter 12: From the death of Alexander the Great to the death of Judas Naccabeus.

The wars of the Jews.
Chapter I: From Antiochus Epiphanes taking Jerusalem to the death of Herod the Great.

You will see that he is a type of the Antichrist in almost every way.

If such wicked men have risen in the past, and even now in our generation, then, we ought not to be surprised when the Antichrist comes on the scene with his flood of wickedness.

1. Alexander the Great did not die in battle or in any uprising in his kingdom, but Josephus writes that he ended his own life. (20)

2. The rise of Antiochus Epiphanes was after the death of Alexander.

As we note some of his characteristics we see how he typifies the Antichrist.

(a) He was a vile person who obtain his power by flatteries. (21)

Compare this with the Antichrist. II Thess. 2:9

(b) He was a deceitful person and conquered with only a few people. (22-23)

Compare this with the Antichrist. II These. 2:10

(c) Re was generous in his spoils. (24)

No doubt this is a means to deceive the people so that they would follow after him.

(d) Ha was a leader of soldiers after rising to power. (25-29)

He set out with his armies to conqueror the land.

He did not display any mercy toward those who were before him.

(e) He was a defiler of the temple and the altar. (30-35)

He returned to Jerusalem and even offered a pig upon the altar unto God.

He brought great disgrace upon the people of Israel.

Thus, the language of verses 36 thru 45 seems to be directed as a prophecy of the Antichrist himself.

It would do well to study once again the lesson on the Antichrist.

It will open to us a clear or at least a better understanding.

You will see in these verses some things about the Antichrist and his true character that you will not see in the New Testament.

Read carefully and compare with II Thess. chapter two.

Here it would do us well to review just how the Antichrist works.

In Revelation 6:1-8 we have a vivid picture of his rise to power.

First, he rides the while horse. Rev. 6:1-2

This symbolizes peace, he has a bow, but no arrow.

Secondly, he rides the red horse. Rev. 6:3-4

This symbolizes war, after he gains power by a so called peaceful means, be then declares var. This is what he does with Israel in the tribulation, after making a treaty with the Jew for seven years, he then breaks the agreement after 3 1/2 years. Notice here he is given a great sword.

Thirdly, he rides the black horse. Rev. 6:5

This symbolizes death by famine. See especially Vs. 6, “a measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny.” According to Matthew 20:1,2 a penny is picture of a full day’s wages. The time is coming when all the daily wage will go for food.

Fourthly, he rides the pale horse. Rev. 6:7—8

This horse also symbolizes death, but with every means the Antichrist can advise.

He shall do wickedly against the holy covenant of the Jews. He will have a burning hatred for them. (Daniel 11:30-35)

Conclusion:

No doubt our hearts becomes discouraged when we read what Daniel had seen and the things yet to come.

But remember that for a believer the future is not dim.

He opens chapter 12:1 with this phrase -

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people:” (12:1)

And he speaks of the people being delivered. What peace that passeth all understanding fills the heart of the believer to know that Jesus is coming victoriously over all things.

What shall happen to the wicked men and the Antichrist?

Jesus shall utterly destroy them all. Rev. 19:17-21

What shall happen to the god of this world, Satan, and all of his workers?

Jesus shall utterly destroy them all. Rev. 20:1-3, 7-10

What shall happen to the people of God?

They shall reign victoriously over all things with Christ Jesus.
Rev. 1:4—6
Rev. 20:4—6
Rev. 21 and 22