Click Arrow To Start Audio

DANIEL- LESSON ELEVEN

I. DANIEL UNDERSTANDS FUTURE FOR ISRAEL: ANTIOCHUS IV – ROME’S DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM (11:20-12:13).

A. Rise and fall of Antiochus IV (Epiphanes) – end of Seleucid’s strength (11:20-12:13)

1. Seleucus IV in power and sends Heliodorous, his prime minister, throughout the kingdom to raise money.  Seleucus IV killed by Heliodorous as a political expedient (v. 20).

2. Antiochus IV – “contemptible person” stands in Seleucus IV’s place (v. 21-35).

a. Demetrius I was expected heir (v.21)

b. Antiochus IV, through flattery, wins support of influential Asia Minor kings (v.21).

c. Successful in war – works deceitfully with allies through covenants (v. 22-24)

d. Defeats Ptolemy VI near Pelusium in 170 B.C. – close associates of Ptolemy VI betray him (v. 25-26)

e. Antiochus IV and Ptolemy VI will not prosper while they are using each other to gain control – Antiochus uses defeated Ptolemy as political pawn – God has appointed their end (v. 27).

f. Antiochus IV returns to own land with riches from Egypt; stops in Jerusalem to put down sedition – ousted High Priest, Jason, was working to gain position again after thinking that Antiochus IV was killed – then Antiochus returns to Syria (v. 28).

g. Antiochus IV fights again in 168 B.C. only to withdraw after orders of Roman envoy brought by Cyprus ships; hears of siege at Jerusalem and returns to put it down (v. 29-30).

h. The temple profaned (168-165 B.C.) (v. 31)

    1. Slays thousands of inhabitants in Jerusalem

    2. Robs temple of its treasures

    3. Prohibits Jewish worship

    4. Introduces worship of Zeus – abominations

i. Influences apostate Jews and persecutes the righteous people along with their faithful teachers until appointed end of Seleucid’s dynasty accomplished (v. 32-35; cf. 8:25, 11:27)

 B. Roman Empire brings end of Seleucid and Ptolemaic dynasties (v. 36-45)

1. Empire becomes a fiercer persecutor to “holy people” than Antiochus IV (v. 36, cf. 12:7)

2. Exalts self through rulers against God – until God’s indignation brings it to and end also (v.36)

3. Things as religious tradition, desire of women – basic drives of man – will not deter this power from its course – it will bow only to god of conquest regardless of whose god it is (v. 37-38).

4. Will honor those who honor his power – a mingling kingdom through alliances (v. 39, cf. 2:43, 7:7)

C. Ptolemy (king of south) brought to an end by Roman Empire (v. 40-45)

1. Cleopatra’s (ruler of south) alliance with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony ends in defeat at Actium at the hands of Augustus (Octavian).

2. Augustus (king of north) had marched to Egypt through Syria; Edom, Moab and Ammon escaped; enriched along way by Herod of the Jews (v. 41).

a. Egypt’s treasures were in Rome’s hands; Lybians and Ethiopians were “at the steps” in the triumphal procession - but word from East and North (Germans and Guals) were threats that demanded attention (v. 43-44).

b. Rome plants tents in Judaea – between Mediterranean Sea and Mount Zion – yet Rome too will come to an end (v. 45).

D. Rome destroys Jerusalem in A.D. 70 - time of incomparable trouble for Jews (12:1-13).

           1. Trouble will come at that time – when Rome is firmly planted in land (v. 1).

2. At this time, God’s true people will rise to new life and shine in righteousness in Christ (v. 2, 3; cf. 9:24-27).

3. Daniel told to preserve book of truth (chapters 10-12) until accomplished – knowledge will increase but will not change the truth revealed (v. 4)

4. One asks man clothed in linen (10:4-5); “How long?” (v. 5-7)

    a. Answer: time, times and a half of time (3 ½) – partial time of turmoil

    b. Power of Jews broken in pieces (v. 7)

5. Daniel seeks to understand further (v. 8-13)

    a. Righteous will do righteousness; wicked will do wickedly and both will be rewarded according to their         works (v. 10).

    b. Those who live through and endure the time of turmoil (1260 days – 1290 days) will enter time of blessing         1335 days (v. 11-12)

    c. Daniel comforted with knowing he will be established – as prophet (v. 13).

QUESTIONS:

1. Who stands in the place of Antiochus III?

2. Who is the vile or contemptible person in v. 21?

3. What battle is referred to in verse 25?

4. What causes Antiochus IV to cease his battle with Egypt in 168 B.C.?

5. What does Antiochus IV do that affects the Jews in 168 B.C.?

6. Identify and describe the character of the king of the north in verses 36-45?

7. Who is the king of the south in verse 40?

8. What time of trouble is considered in chapter 12 for the Jews?

9. What resurrection is referred to in 12:2

 

10. What is the significance of the 1290 and 1335 days?