Preface
This is the third part of a three part article covering Daniel’s prophecy in chapter 11 and 12 of the book of Daniel.
In part 2 (Antiochus to Antichrist -Part 2.), Daniel’s vision foretells of the ‘despicable person’ who most commentators think was fulfilled by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Here in part 3, we continue with Daniel’s vision where it shifts to a more distant future time. (To return to part 1, go to Antiochus to Antichrist -Part 1.)
From Antiochus to Antichrist
One commentator remarks that the remainder of this prophecy is very difficult, and commentators differ much respecting it. From Antiochus the account seems to pass to Antichrist.
Though this prophecy was partially fulfilled in Antiochus Epiphanes as we saw previously, it also has a later fulfillment in the Antichrist, and the time of the end.
Daniel 11:35-37
35 “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. 36 Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done. 37 And he will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the desire of women, nor will he show regard for any other god; for he will magnify himself above them all.”
Verses 11:35 & 36 are thought to be the turning point where the vision shifts to speaking about the Antichrist, though not exclusively.
Some commentators also observe that 36 & 37 do not fit Antiochus for a couple of reasons. Antiochus did not ‘do as he pleases’ because he still answered to Rome. He did not exalt himself ‘above every god’ either. He did exalt himself, but still worshiped Greek gods like Jupiter. Instead of demanding the Jews worship him, Antiochus tried to Hellenize them. Therefore the passage is thought to point to the Antichrist.
Three Elements
I see three areas in the prophecy that appear to point to Antichrist or the end time when he is active:
- The abomination of desolation fulfillment, 12:7, 11
- The ‘end time’ spoken of in 11:35, 12:7&11, 12:1-2
- Completion of God’s indignation, 11:36, 12:7
There are just a few verses in Daniel’s prophecy that inform us about these three areas. Because of this, it may seem that I am repeating the same verses several times in this next section. However, it is only my attempt to describe the concepts so that we can understand their significance.
Abomination of Desolation
Jesus said in the New Testament that the abomination of desolation in Daniel was yet to come. But we know from history that Antiochus desecrated the temple in this way which fulfilled Daniel 11:31. The determination then is that there are two abomination of desolation events -one by Antiochus and the second by Antichrist. This is one of the double fulfillments of Daniel’s prophecy that I mentioned in the introduction in part 1.
Matthew 24:15-16. Jesus says,
“Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”
Daniel 12:7
“And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed.”
“Shattering the power of the holy people” is used in Daniel 12:7. The phrase may refer to the abomination of desolation or it may signify the last half of the seven year tribulation period which includes the abomination of desolation.
When the angel first declared the information in 12:7, Daniel did not understand. The angel then explained it to Daniel in abbreviated form in 12:10-11:
10 “Many will be purged, purified and refined; but the wicked will act wickedly, and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand. 11 And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.”
Prophecy scholars tell us that the abomination of desolation that Jesus was referencing in Matthew 24 is in the middle of the seven year tribulation. Daniel 12:11 speaks of the abomination of desolation as occurring in this same time period. (There is a good summary of this viewpoint given at the Got Questions website.)1
End Time
Daniel 11:35
“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 Bible speaks often about the people of God being refined by trials. We also learn about His work to make us holy and pure by discipline and instruction. This verse adds an element that is different than most of these other references -the time limit. The purging talked about in 11:35 stops at the end time. The purging that took place during the time of Antiochus has not stopped -it continues to this day.
Daniel 12:11
“And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.”
As Daniel’s vision is coming to a close in Daniel 12, Daniel starts conversing with two other angels. Daniel asks in 12:8, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” Daniel is told that after the abomination of desolation, there will be 1290 days (3.5 years) to the end of that time. (Daniel 12:11)
(Earlier in the chapter the angel says that the chronology is “time, times, and half a time.” (12:7) When Daniel did not understand and asked for clarification, the angel explained that it is 1,290 days. (12:11))
Both the purifying and the abomination in these verses proceed the end time corresponding to the finish of the tribulation at the time of the Antichrist.
Daniel 12:1 uses similar language that Jesus used in Mark 13:
Daniel 12:1b “And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.”
and,
Mark 13:19 “For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created, until now, and never shall. 20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect whom He chose, He shortened the days.”
Then a few verses later in Mark, Jesus explains,
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, 25 AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth, to the farthest end of heaven.”
I think that the ones being ‘rescued’ in Daniel 12:1 are the same ones being saved in Mark 13:20 & 27. This event occurs at the end time.
God’s Indignation
The ‘time of indignation’ appears to be God’s chastisement of the Jewish nation. It will come to a completion during this time of the end.
Daniel 11:36
“Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done.”
The Antichrist will have his way until God determines that His holy indignation is finally over. As mentioned before, this language fits Antichrist better that it fits Antiochus.
“[He] shall prosper until the indignation be accomplished; the wrath of God upon the Jewish nation for their rejection of the Messiah.”2
Daniel 12:7b
“it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed.”
The phrase ‘shattering the power of the holy people’ could be speaking of the last pouring out of God’s indignation on the Jews.
This time of distress is “partially applicable to the time of Antiochus, who was the first subverter of the Jews’ religion, and persecutor of its professors, which no other world power had done. Fully applicable to the last times of Antichrist, and his persecutions of Israel restored to Palestine.”3
“And thus the end of this chapter [11] is clearly of antichrist, and this prophecy of Daniel [corresponds] with the world’s end. Therefore Antiochus is a type of antichrist, in his pride, covetousness, craft, and cruelty against the people of God, and blasphemies and idolatries to the reproach of Christ. Therefore it is here added, because it is yet for a time appointed.”4
Summary of Antiochus to Antichrist
“From what Antiochus did to Jews in his day, therefore, one may know the general pattern of what the Antichrist will do to them in the future.”5
Antiochus ascended to power by scheming and deception. He persecuted the Jews greatly. He stopped the sacrifice and profaned the temple. He had power and success. Antichrist will be the same and will do the same, only worse.
Not everyone sees or agrees with the Antiochus and Antichrist connection. Martin Luther wrote, “This chapter in Daniel refers both to Antiochus and Antichrist.” John Calvin wrote, “Hence Luther, indulging his thoughts too freely, refers this passage to the masks of Antichrist.”
Conclusion
We do not know when these things will take place, only that they will happen just as God said. Our response is to be ready and look to the coming of Jesus with joyful anticipation.
As Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4,
“Let no one in any way deceive you, for [the day of the Lord] will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.”
Paul continues, and I was going to paraphrase, but he says it much better! Verses 6-8 say,
“And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he may be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. And then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming.”
Appendix
Daniel chapter 11 describes a battle that appears to be a description of the last battle of the Antichrist. If this is true, it is his battle against Christ. To see how this could be, please see my post Christ vs Antichrist.
End of article.
To return to the start, go to Antiochus to Antichrist -Part 1.
1 https://www.gotquestions.org/abomination-desolation.html 11/13/23
2 Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
3 Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4 Matthew Poole’s Commentary
5 Leon Wood, A Commentary on Daniel, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1973), 212