Preface
This is the second part of a three part article covering Daniel’s prophecy in chapter 11 and 12 of the book of Daniel.
If you have not read part 1 yet, go to Antiochus to Antichrist -Part 1.
In part 1, we learned that chapter 10 acted as a preface to Daniel’s prophecy. We were introduced to the angel who was sent to help Daniel understand the vision. We also saw that this part of Daniel’s vision from God foretold of the kings that would come onto the world stage leading up to Alexander the Great.
We will continue with the next part of the prophecy in Daniel 11 here in part 2.
Despicable person: Antiochus IV Epiphanes
Daniel 11:21-35
In Daniel 11:21 we are introduced to one called a ‘despicable’ person, (‘vile’ in older translations) “on whom the honor of kingship has not been conferred.”
Bible commentators conclude that this section is fulfilled by Antiochus IV Epiphanes starting circa 170 BC. They describe Antiochus as vile in moral character and not worthy of receiving royal majesty. He was also known as a cruel and violent persecutor of the Jews. Antiochus Epiphanes is sometimes called the “Antichrist of the Old Testament.”
Rev. Joseph Benson points out that, “As he flattered the Syrians, the Syrians flattered him again, and bestowed upon him the title of Antiochus Epiphanes, or Illustrious; but the epithet of vile, or rather despicable, here given by the prophet, agrees better with his true character.”1
“But by his subjects he was called Epimanes “the Insane,” instead of “Epiphanes” – a name which he much more richly deserved,2 “-for his mad freaks beneath the dignity of a king. He would carouse with the lowest of the people, bathe with them in the public baths, and foolishly jest and throw stones at passers-by.”3
In this next section I will list the germane part of the verses from Daniel 11 and point out how Antiochus IV and others fulfilled some of the details of the passage. I won’t cover all of the historical details but just enough to see how the prophecy could have been fulfilled at this time in history.
Antiochus IV became the king of the North as part of the Seleucian dynasty, while Ptolemy VI Philometer was king of the South as part of the Ptolemies reign.
Antiochus’ Exploits
11:21 “will seize the kingdom by intrigue” -some translations say flatteries instead of intrigue.
Antiochus cheated the true Seleucian heir, flattering the kings of Pergamus and Syria to gain support.
11:22 “shattered… the prince of the covenant” and 11:23 “And after an alliance is made with him he will practice deception.”
According to Maccabees, this fits Onias III the high priest (prince of the covenant), whom Antiochus deposed in the first year of his reign. Antiochus sold the priesthood to Jason his younger brother, for four hundred and forty talents of silver. Yet he did not faithfully adhere to it, but acted deceitfully; and substituted Jason’s brother Menelaus by means of an armed force, because he offered him three hundred talents more than that which he had received from Jason.
11:24 “In a time of tranquility he will enter the richest parts of the realm… and he will devise his schemes against strongholds.”
Antiochus pretends to come in peace to Egyptian king Ptolemy Philometer, but is really scoping out the land. Antiochus then plundered parts of Egypt, and to gain support against Egypt he used the proceeds to give lavish gifts.
11:24b “[Antiochus] will accomplish what his fathers had not done.”
11:25 “the king of the South [Egypt] will mobilize an extremely large and mighty army for war; but he will not stand, for schemes will be devised against him.”
11:27 “[both kings] hearts will be intent on evil, and they will speak lies to each other.”
By Antiochus’ deceptive schemes, he was able to defeat Ptolemy Philometer and take control of Egypt which his fathers could not do.
11:28 “his heart will be set against the holy covenant” -against God’s theocracy.
“The words “holy covenant” are a technical expression to denote the Jewish institutions. The meaning is, that Antiochus was enraged against it; and determined to bring calamity upon the place and people connected with it.”4
A false rumor circulated that Antiochus had died, so former high priest Jason thought he could retake the high-priesthood. Jason marched on Jerusalem with a thousand men where he assaulted and took the city. Jason drove the current high priest Menelaus into the castle, and exercised great cruelties upon the citizens. Antiochus, hearing of this, concluded that the whole nation had revolted. He learned that the people had rejoiced at the report of his death, so he determined to take severe revenge.
11:29 “he will return and come into the South, but this last time it will not turn out the way it did before.”
Antiochus went up against Egypt, but they had reinforcements and Antiochus had to retreat.
11:30 “and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant.”
Antiochus made use of the apostates in the nation to accomplish his plan. The Jewish apostates had learned from Greek philosophy that all religions are good enough to keep the masses in check. These had cast off circumcision and the religion of Jehovah for Greek customs.
“Shortly before the time of Antiochus there had arisen a party among the Jews, whose object was to Hellenize5 their nation. They rebelled against the God of their fathers and wanted others to join them. ‘They made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the Gentiles, and sold themselves to do evil’6. Jason, the renegade high-priest was one of the leaders of the movement; and he and others introduced Greek customs. The result was that Greek fashions became popular.”7
Temple Desecration
11:31 “And forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation.”
Antiochus sent Apollonius (167 B.C.) with twenty-two thousand to destroy Jerusalem. The army slew multitudes and dismantled and pillaged the city. They fell on and slew the worshipers so that the temple service was discontinued. Antiochus decreed that all should conform to the Greek religion or die.
The invaders profaned the temple altar with swine making it unholy. They also brought an idol into the temple, probably a statue of Jupiter Olympus. This is a preview of the abomination of desolation that will occur under the Antichrist.
11:32a “And by smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant.”
As a wicked leader, Antiochus led many people further away from God. “They had begun with indifference to true religion, and have now become intolerant of it.”8
Godly Response
11:32b-35 “but the people who know their God will display strength and take action. And those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many; yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder, for many days. Now when they fall they will be granted a little help, and many will join with them in hypocrisy. And some of those who have insight will fall, in order to refine, purge, and make them pure, until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time.”
The godly will display strength and take action by standing firm in their faith. They will speak with godly wisdom with those around them. Some will be persecuted when they do not compromise the truth. The true believers will be purified and set apart (sanctified) to their God. “Observe, reader, the right knowledge of God is and will be the strength of the soul, and through it gracious persons do exploits. They that know his name will put their trust in him, and by that trust will do great things.”9
The misbehavior by some, and a righteous response by a remnant, is the pattern throughout the Bible. Just as Elijah pleads with God against Israel, as quoted in the New Testament in Romans 11:3-5:
“Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED THY PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN THINE ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE.” But what is the divine response to him? “I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.” In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice.”10
Again, summarized in Hebrews 11:25,
“[by faith] choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.”
Conclusion of Part 2
“Antiochus Epiphanes is important, but mostly as a historical preview of the Antichrist. This is why so much space is given to describing the career of one evil man – because he prefigures the ultimate evil man. Antiochus Epiphanes is the “trailer” released well before the Antichrist, who is like the “feature.””11
End of Part 2. For Part 3, go to Antiochus to Antichrist -Part 3.
1 Benson Commentary
2 Barnes’ Notes
3 Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4 Barnes’ Notes
5 Hellenize -to make Greek.
6 1 Maccabees 1:15
7 Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
8 Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
9 Benson Commentary
10 All caps in the New Testament indicate an Old Testament quote.
11 David Guzik’s Bible Commentary