Monday, September 28, 2020

Dan. 11:21-40, Precision Prophecies fr. the Sovereign God (2)

 ·       11:5-20: prophecies concerning Kings of the North (Syria) and South (Egypt).

o   11:9: Failed invasion of Egypt by Calinicus of Syria (fleet lost in a storm).

o   11:10: Invasion of Egypt by Calinicus and Antiochus the Great (218BC).  Ptolemy Philopater did not resist them.

o   11:11-12: Attack the next year by Philopater, defeating Antiochus’ immense army at Raphis, but not pressing his advantage.

o   11:13-16: Antiochus’ raises larger army in 203BC, invades Egypt with help of rebellious Jews, who help him establish himself in Jerusalem.

o   11:17: Unsuccessful attempt by Antiochus to gain all of Egypt through a treaty involving the marriage of his daughter Cleopatra to Ptolemy.

o   11:18-19: Antiochus takes island off the coast of Asia Minor, only to be defeated by Roman commander Scipio in 190BC. Antiochus returns to Syria and dies trying to plunder the temple of Belus in Elymais.

o   11:20: Antiochus succeeded by Seleucus Philopater, a raiser of taxes, who died being poisoned by his tax collector (not in battle or anger).

·       11:21-35: prophecies concerning Antiochus Epiphanes.

o   11:21: Rise of Antiochus Epiphanes (youngest son), seized power by trickery.

o   11:22-24: Defeat of his nephew Ptolemy Philometer, by AE, who feigned friendship, came to Egypt and was successful with a small army.

o   11:25: Defeat of Ptolemy Physcon, whose great army was broken by treason.

o   11:26-27: AE’s alliance with Philometer against Ptolemy Euergetes II, failed because it was built on lies.

o   11:28: Atrocities against Israel as AE returned home from defeat in Egypt.

o   11:29-30: Another attempt by AE against Egypt, and the insistence of Rome that he stop his wars, and the resulting trashing of Israel again.

o   11:31: Persecution of Jews by AE, and his demand they worship the gods of Greece; all sacrifices stopped, temple was polluted by sacrifice of swine flesh.

o   11:32: Attempt of righteous Jews to withstand, notable under the Maccabees.

o   11:33-35: Continuing persecution for many days, until the time of the end.

·       11:36-39: prophecies concerning the Antichrist.  This fits AE and his brutal oppression of Israel.  But since it is the time of the end, we take it that the vision now moves to the Antichrist who, in essence, becomes a greater oppressor.  Both were willful, self-exalting, blasphemous, not regarding any “god” nor “the desire of women” (which may refer to Messiah).  He will be successful for a time.

·       11:40-45: prophecies concerning the war leading to Armageddon.  This war is not “Armageddon” but, as described in Ezek. 38-39, brings armies of earth to Israel.  A northern confederation invades Israel, moving against a southern confederation, only to hear news from the east (perhaps the advance of another army, Rev. 16:12).

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