Kings of North and South

 

In the third year of Cyrus, King of Persia, on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, Daniel had been mourning for three full weeks (10:1–2, 40). If Daniel was using the spring-to-spring calendar, it was a couple of days after Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. But it seems more likely that he was using the fall-to-fall civil calendar. That means it had been just over a week since the fall festivals ended. Trumpets warned of judgment, and the Day of Atonement was the great cleansing judgment in favor of God’s people (Lev 16:30, Dan 7:22). Finally, Booths reminded Daniel of Israel’s move from temporary shelter to its permanent home.

Daniel hadn't been able to celebrate these festivals properly since he couldn't go to the Temple in Jerusalem. Of course, for about fifty years there hadn't been a Temple to go to. All of this had to be incredibly depressing.

On top of that, most of the Jews had stayed in Babylon, even after Cyrus allowed them to go home. They had become pagans like their neighbors, and couldn't care less about Yahweh or His Temple. Then the work of rebuilding the Temple had been stopped by Cyrus almost before it got underway. There was plenty to send the aging prophet into a tailspin.

It's also possible that Daniel had seen a vision that he didn't write down, since he understood the vision (10:1) and it caused him anguish and made him weak (10:16).(1) In any case, an angelic messenger dressed in linen with a belt of pure gold came to him. Daniel was the only one who saw the messenger, since the men with him became afraid and ran away to hide. He became pale and weak. He could hear the messenger speak, and then fell into a deep sleep on his face. Then he felt a hand touch him and set him on his hands and knees (10:7–10).

Daniel was highly esteemed in God's eyes (10:11), but he was overwhelmed by his inadequacy. How can a servant of my Lord talk with such as my Lord? (10:17). His humility should make us stop for a moment. Do we truly fear the One True God? Or have we brought Him down to our level, making Him more man than God?

 

Daniel 2	Kingdom	Daniel 7	Daniel 8	Daniel 11
Head of Gold	Babylon	Winged Lion
Chest and Arms of Silver	Medo-Persia	Bear	Ram	vv. 1–2
Belly and Thighs of Brass	Greece	4-Winged Leopard	Goat	vv. 3–15
Legs of Iron	Rome	Strange Beast	Little Horn	vv. 16–22
Feet of Iron and Clay	Fragmented Rome	Ten Horns	Little Horn	vv. 23–end

 

The messenger told him to stand up and understand the words he will tell him. Daniel shouldn't be afraid, because this is an answer that was sent as soon as he started praying. Unfortunately, the prince of the kingdom of Persia had slowed the messenger down until Michael, one of the chief princes, stepped in to help (10:12–13).

There are many powers in heavenly places (Eph 3:10), and one of them was trying to prevent this message from getting to Daniel. But nothing could stop God's messengers from telling Daniel what was inscribed in the writing of truth (10:21). It was a message of great conflict (10:1).

Three kings would arise in Persia after Cyrus. Then a fourth would become richer than all of them, and when he becomes strong, he will attack the kingdom of Greece (11:1-2). The four kings are:
Artaxerxes I was the richest of all the Persian kings. He assembled what may be the largest army ever and marched against Greece.(2) This army wasn't well trained, and a much better trained Greek army defeated it.

 

Cambysses	520-522BC
False Smerdis	522BC
Darius I	522-486BC
Artaxerxes I	486-423BC

           
And a mighty king will arise, and he will rule with great authority and do as he pleases. But as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four points of the compass, though not to his own descendants, nor according to his authority which he wielded; for his sovereignty will be uprooted and given to others besides them. (11:3–4)

 

The story jumps ahead 120 years to Alexander the Great. He appeared on the stage of history like a flash of lightning. In his thirteen-year career he conquered more territory more quickly than anyone before or after. But he died at age 32, and his generals divided the empire.

As we noted back in Daniel 7, the first step after Alexander was a six-part division. Two generals were rapidly defeated, and for a while there were four relatively stable divisions. But eventually only two were left. We're about to see their careers.

 

 

A couple of things are worth repeating. First, we need to remember how Daniel's prophecies start out political and end spiritual. This means that the nation against nation stuff that adds spice to so many interpretations isn't going to be there at the end. Instead, the focus is going to be on the covenant, just like it was in all the others.

Next, this revelation is delivered in sequence. There's no backing up and starting over. The only time it goes back is when Daniel asks questions. Then he's asking about specifics, and those are out of sequence.

The king of the South will grow strong (11:5). Ptolemy I Soter was the first Egyptian king. He annexed Cyprus, Phoenicia and other lands. One of his princes will gain ascendancy over him and obtain a great dominion. Seleucus I Nicator, his prince, began his career as the Satrap of Babylon, subordinate to Ptolemy. Seleucus fled from Ptolemy's protection and became the first of the Syrian kings. He conquered countries from Turkey to India. And this brings us to an important pattern in this revelation.

Seleucus was sovereign over physical Babylon, a city with huge biblical importance. Wicked people tried to “make a name for themselves” by building a tower there (Gen 11:4). God “confused their speech” (Gen 11:7). As a result, Babel/Babylon came to mean “confusion.” During the exile, Babylon oppressed God's people. In the book of Revelation, it represents harlotry, the most important Old Testament image of idolatry.

As we go through the prophecy, we'll see the language change from physical and political to spiritual. And just like the name “Babylon” changes from physical to spiritual as we go through the Bible, the King of the North will change from being the king over physical Babylon to the head of religious confusion and idolatry — spiritual Babylon. I know I'm getting ahead of myself. But if you have a hint about what's coming, it'll be easier to see it when it comes.
           
And after some years they will form an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the South will come to the king of the North to carry out a peaceful arrangement. But she will not retain her position of power, nor will he remain with his power, but she will be given up, along with those who brought her in, and the one who sired her, as well as he who supported her in those times. (11:6)

 

The revelation skips some years to Antiochus II Theos of Syria and Ptolemy II Philadelphus of Egypt. Antiochus and Ptolemy ended the Second Syrian War with a peace treaty in 253 BC. To tie their families together, Ptolemy sent his daughter Berenice to Antiochus to be his wife. There was just one problem. Antiochus was already married to Laodice.

Antiochus figured he’d set Laodice aside for a little while. When things looked convenient, he’d dump Berenice and bring Laodice back. Laodice didn't see things quite that way, but she kept quiet. When Ptolemy died in 246 BC, Antiochus brought her back into the palace, and she poisoned him, Berenice, and Berenice's son by Antiochus.

There's a textual problem here. The one who sired her would seem to imply that Berenice's father Ptolemy II would be one of Laodice's victims. But he died of natural causes before Laodice was able to get her revenge.

This probably isn't a translation issue. The Masoretic text uses yoledah which means the "one who sired her."(3) Earlier Hebrew texts use yaldah which means "maid," implying that Berenice's servants were killed. The only difference is a "vowel pointing" added fifteen centuries after Daniel.(4)

In Daniel’s time, the text didn't have vowels, so the word was just yld. Somewhere along the way either the proper pronunciation was lost or a copyist wrote the wrong vowel. Because of the odd little Hebrew vowels, it's amazing that we don't see more of this. Getting back to the story, the southern branch of the family didn't take too kindly to the shenanigans in Syria.

 

But one of the descendants of her line will arise in his place, and he will come against their army and enter the fortress of the king of the North, and he will deal with them and display great strength. And also their gods with their metal images and their precious vessels of silver and gold he will take into captivity to Egypt, and he on his part will refrain from attacking the king of the North for some years. (11:7-8)

 

Berenice's brother Ptolemy III conquered Seleucia, the Syrian capital. He took 40,000 talents of silver, 4,000 talents of gold, precious vessels, and 2,500 images of pagan gods back to Egypt. Returning this wealth to Egypt led Ptolemy's people to give him the throne name “Euergetes,” or “Benefactor.” Domestic sedition forced him to return to Egypt, and he didn't attack Syria again.

 

Then the latter will enter the realm of the king of the South, but will return to his own land. And his sons will mobilize and assemble a multitude of great forces; and one of them will keep on coming and overflow and pass through, that he may again wage war up to his very fortress. (11:9–10)

 

Seleucus II Callinichus attacked Egypt and reconquered Mesopotamia and most of Syria. Eventually he was defeated, signed a peace treaty and returned to Syria where he died after a fall from a horse. His son Seleucus III Ceranus Soter rebuilt the army, but was murdered before he could go to war. His brother Antiochus III Magnus continued the military buildup. In 219 BC he began a campaign which conquered Southern Syria and Palestine. Then he attacked Egypt.

 

The king of the South will be enraged and go forth and fight with the king of the North. Then the latter will raise a great multitude, but that multitude will be given into the hand of the former. (11:11)

 

Ptolemy IV Philopater was a pacifist. His ministers raised a large army that beat Antiochus badly at Raphia in 217 BC, killing fourteen thousand Syrians. Ptolemy failed to follow up the victory.

 

When the multitude is carried away, his heart will be lifted up, and he will cause tens of thousands to fall; yet he will not prevail. (11:12)

 

The fulfillment of the second part of this verse is uncertain. Third Maccabees tells of Ptolemy IV killing thousands of Jews in Alexandria, but that story is disputed. It's also possible that this refers to his wild sexual religious practices, with thousands “falling” into idolatry.

 

The king of the North will again raise a greater multitude than the former, and after an interval of some years he will press on with a great army and much equipment. (11:13)

 

Sixteen years later, Antiochus started a second campaign against Egypt, with a huge army that even had elephants from India.

 

Now in those times many will rise up against the king of the South. (11:14a)

 

Ptolemy V Epiphanes was a child when Antiochus Magnus attacked. His Prime Minister Agathocles rebelled, starting a civil war. Philip of Macedon joined forces with Antiochus. All of a sudden, Daniel hears a sentence out of left field.

 

The breakers of your people will also lift themselves up in order to fulfill the vision, but they will fall down. (11:14b, lit.)

 

This isn't talking about the back-and-forth between the king of the North and the king of the South. It's about the Jews — your people. The breakers of your people is a force that will be destructive to the Jews, and that makes us look at Rome. Other countries conquered Judea, but only Babylon and Rome were really destructive. Babylon’s already history, so we're looking at Rome coming onto the scene. We can see that this revelation is covering the same territory as all the others. In the end, Rome will fall.

Antiochus isn't done.

 

The king of the North will come, cast up a siege mound, and capture a well-fortified city; and the forces of the South will not stand their ground, not even their choicest troops, for there will be no strength to make a stand. (11:15)

 

He defeated the Egyptian general Scopas at Sidon in 201 BC. Antiochus graciously released him and his ten thousand soldiers — in their birthday suits.

 

But he who comes against him will do as he pleases, and no one will be able to withstand him; he will also stay for a time in the Beautiful Land, with destruction in his hand. (11:16)

 

This verse can be confusing. “Him” is Antiochus, looking back to verse 15. Since the Egyptians are out of the picture, he who comes against him has to be a third player. In 190 BC, Antiochus moved his army west into Greece. The Roman army drove him out, winning a decisive battle at Magnesia. In 188 BC, Antiochus was forced to sign the Treaty of Apamea. He became a subject of Rome, and had to pay an immense amount of money in tribute. Rome became the King of the North.

Antiochus III Magnus was succeeded by his son Seleucus IV Philopater. After he died, his brother Antiochus IV Epiphanes stole the throne. He invaded Egypt, but was humiliated by Rome and withdrew. In 168 BC he started a brutal campaign to Hellenize Palestine. The Jews, led by Judas Maccabeus, threw off the Syrian yoke, cleansed the Temple in Jerusalem and re-started its services. After Antiochus died in 164 BC, the Jews continued to fight for full independence. In 161 BC they signed a peace treaty with Rome, gaining protection from Syria.

With the defeat of Antiochus III Magnus, Rome had become the King of the North. All of the back-and-forth between the Syrians and Jews after that was incidental to the plan of the prophecy. It did, however, lead to the Roman-Jewish Treaty. And that led to the brutal Roman occupation of Judea. They truly came with destruction in their hands.

 

And he will set his face to come with the power of his whole kingdom, bringing with him a proposal of peace which he will put into effect. (11:17a)

 

Egypt was the only part of Alexander's empire that wasn't under total Roman control. Ptolemy XII Auletes died while his heirs were still young. He left the kingdom to his ten year old son Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopater and his daughter Cleopatra.(5) His Will said they should marry each other and share the crown. Since they were minors, he asked Roman Consul Pompey to be their guardian. Three years later the young Ptolemy beheaded Pompey and presented his head to Caesar. Even though Pompey and Caesar were enemies, Pompey's murder was a crime against the Empire. Caesar imposed Roman rule over Egypt since Ptolemy and Cleopatra couldn't be trusted.

 

He will also give him the daughter of women to ruin it. But she will not take a stand for him or be on his side. (11:17b)

 

Ptolemy dumped Cleopatra so she went to war against him. Caesar sent peacekeepers and shut the war down.(6) Cleopatra tried to subvert the decree by becoming Caesar's mistress, and had a son by him. This worked for a little while, but then she sided with Mark Antony against Caesar.

 

Then he will turn his face to the coastlands and capture many. But a commander will put a stop to his scorn against him; moreover, he will repay him for his scorn. So he will turn his face toward the fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble and fall and be found no more. (11:18–19)

 

Julius Caesar soon sailed to Asia Minor against Pharnaces, King of the Cimmerian Bosporus. His victory was rapid and absolute.(7) When Julius returned to Rome he was made dictator for life. But his lieutenants, afraid of what he might do with absolute power, murdered him in 44 BC.

 

Then in his place one will arise who will send a tax collector to enhance the splendor of his kingdom; yet within a few days he will be shattered, though neither in anger nor in battle. (11:20)

 

Augustus became Caesar, and started raising taxes. His famous decree in Luke 2:1 led to Mary and Joseph’s trip to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. He died in his bed neither in anger nor in battle.

 

And in his place a despicable person will arise, on whom the honor of kingship has not been conferred, but he will come in a time of tranquility and seize the kingdom by intrigue. And the overflowing forces will be flooded away before him and shattered, and also the prince of the covenant. (11:21–22)

 

Tiberius was the next Caesar, even though he wasn't in the normal line of succession. His step-father Augustus told his wife Livia, "Your son is too vile to wear the purple of Rome."(8) But she prevailed, and Augustus nominated Tiberius. The citizens shared Augustus' opinion, and never gave him the honor and respect a ruler might expect. His armies overflowed opposing armies, including a shattering campaign against the Jews in Palestine.

So far, the prophecy has sounded like the six o'clock news. There's been lots of crime reporting, but nothing about the covenant. The last time I checked, I'd been making a strong point that the book of Daniel is about the covenant. To top it off, checking all those ancient dates and names on Wikipedia has been downright boring.

Finally, the message starts shifting from politics to spiritual issues. During Tiberius' reign, the prince of the covenant is shattered. It's pretty obvious from the timing that this has to be a description of Jesus' death on the Cross. But can we confirm that from scripture?

The most important context for any passage is the surrounding sections by the same writer. And that takes us back to Daniel 9. In 9:25 we found that the Messiah is the prince who is to come. Then in 9:27, He strengthens the covenant with the many. Jesus has to be the prince of the covenant. Daniel doesn't use this language any other place, so we can be very confident that this is correct.
           
And after an alliance is made with him he will practice deception, and he will go up and gain power with a small force of people. In a time of tranquility he will enter the richest parts of the realm, and he will accomplish what his fathers never did, nor his ancestors; he will distribute plunder, booty, and possessions among them. (11:23-24a)

 

The language here should tip us to a shift in the prophecy. Practicing deception and schemes aren’t the stuff of the military back-and-forth we’ve been seeing. And that suggests that the power we’re looking at now doesn’t work quite like the others.

Imperial Rome fell apart and was ultimately replaced by the Roman Church. The old Empire was now a bunch of smaller kingdoms, and they all looked to the Pope for legitimacy. This church-state alliance was managed by a small number of papal legates, who traveled to different countries to keep them up to date on the Pope’s wishes. Rome bought favors with the money it collected.

 

He will devise his schemes against strongholds, but only for a time. And he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South with a large army; so the king of the South will mobilize an extremely large and mighty army for war . . . his army will overflow, but many will fall down slain. (11:24b–25a, 26b)

 

This nicely describes the Crusades, two of which were directed at Egypt. The Crusader armies had bad advice and worse leadership. They managed to kill a lot of people on both sides, and gave the Moslems confidence when they kicked the Europeans out of Jerusalem.

 

Schemes will be devised against him and those who eat his choice food will destroy him. (11:25b–26a)

 

The same scheming that the Popes practiced was turned on them. The political church became the center of political warfare as insiders turned on other insiders. Popes were assassinated. The Chair of Peter was bought and sold. At one time there were three “Popes.”(9)

 

As for both kings, their hearts will be intent on evil, and they will speak lies to each other at the same table; but it will not succeed. (11:27)

 

The warring parties negotiated in bad faith. Each one jockeyed for advantage, but both sides failed.

 

The end is still to come at the appointed time.

 

Just as Daniel seems to be bogged down in the trivia of history, Gabriel reassures him again that God is truly in control. There is a plan. There is an end. And it will happen on schedule.

 

He will return to his land with much plunder. (11:28a)

 

Even in losing, the Crusaders brought a lot of loot home. This provided financing for inquisitions against “heretics.”

 

His heart will be set against the holy covenant, and he will take action and then return to his own land. (11:28b)

 

The language of the prophecy is beginning to change. The Prince of the Covenant appeared in verse 22. Now there’s an attack against the holy covenant. We started out looking at politics. As the Roman Church came into view, we saw a blend of politics and religion. Now the holy covenant is front and center. The Roman Church couldn’t defeat its enemies in the Holy Land, so it focused its efforts against true Christians who dared to stand up to Roman authority.

I need to make one thing perfectly clear here. Like before, this isn’t a politically correct interpretation. I’m matching the Bible to history, and that puts the Roman Catholic Church squarely in the crosshairs. At the moment, we’re discussing the Roman Church during the Dark Ages. That period is widely recognized to be a dark era in Church history. Things were so bad that after Martin Luther visited Rome in 1510, he noted that, “If there be a hell, Rome is built on it.”

Further, I’m not trying to discuss Roman Catholic theology in detail. Others have done a good job of that.(10) But the Roman Catholic Church, even today, insists on its authority to change divine law. Pope Leo XIII declared, “the supreme teacher in the church is the Roman Pontiff . . . therefore [the individual must render] complete submission and obedience of will to the Church and to the Roman Pontiff, as to God Almighty.”(11) “[The Popes] hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty.”(12) We shouldn’t be surprised at these statements, since they spring from the adulation of Pope Julius II by Cardinal Christopher Marcellus at the Fifth Lateran Council in 1512. “Thou art the Shepherd, thou art the Physician, thou art the Governor, thou art the Husbandman, finally, thou art another God on earth.” If this wasn’t the Pope’s opinion of himself, he would have rebuked Marcellus. Instead, he accepted this public praise without reservation. Put simply, Pope Julius II believed he was God on earth.

This is a major problem. The Roman Catholic Church doesn’t allow independent interpretation of scripture. You must accept its view or be condemned as a heretic. Further, it not only claims to be able to change God’s laws by its own choice, and it claims to have done so.(13) This is blasphemy.

The scriptures teach that they are sufficient to function as the rule of faith (2 Tim 3:15–16). That means we can understand the essentials of the faith without the Roman Church. Further, if the Roman Church attempts to change divine law, it is, by definition, apostate. Its actions are leading people away from Christ, not toward Him. It attacks the Holy Covenant.

 

At the appointed time he will return and come into the South, but this last time it will not turn out the way it did before, for ships of soldiers will come against him; therefore he will be disheartened. (11:29–30a)(14)

 

The Last Crusade in 1260 failed. It degenerated into a series of naval battles before the Roman forces were withdrawn.
           
He will return and become enraged at the holy covenant and take action; so he will come back and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant. 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.  By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant. (11:30b–32a)

 

The covenant is the focus from here on. The Roman Catholic Church began to severely persecute “heretics” in the twelfth century. It declared its supremacy over God in the most severe language in Unam Sanctum.(15) There was supposedly no salvation outside the Roman Church, and the sword was its legitimate tool to enforce its dogmas.

 

The Little Horn		King of the North
Daniel 7	Daniel 8	Daniel 11
Starts small, then grows (7:8)	Starts small, then grows (8:9)	Starts small, then grows (11:23)
Attacks God and His people (7:8, 20, 21, 25)	Attacks God and His people (8:10–11, 24)	Attacks God and His people (11:31-32, 36-39)
Strength from others (7:8, 20)	Strength from others (8:24–25)	Strength from others (11:24, 39)
Involves the time of the end (7:8, 21–22)	Involves the time of the end (8:19)	Involves the time of the end (11:40)

 

This is an attack on God’s sanctuary, the center of salvation.(16) The Roman Church inserted human priests, Mary, and “saints” between the sinner and the Savior. The Bible was banned, so no lay person could challenge Roman spiritual authority. This all adds up to a desolating sacrilege, what Daniel calls the abomination of desolation. The Inquisitors and their accomplices were rewarded.

 

The people who know their God will display strength and take action. 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. 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. (11:32b–35)

 

The Inquisition went on for many days. “Heretics” died by the sword, were burned at the stake, and starved in dungeons. Millions were killed. Again Gabriel reassures Daniel that it won’t last forever. The end will come at the appointed time. No matter how black things look, God is still in control.

The verbal transition is complete. From here on, the revelation is all about spiritual matters.

 

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; and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done. (11:36)

 

This spiritual language echoes 7:25. The Roman Popes declared themselves to be above God, as I noted above. And they have prospered. Even though the Roman Church has lost its direct control over governments, it is still a serious power in the world. About one sixth of all people claim to be Catholics.

 

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. But instead he will honor a god of fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know; he will honor him with gold, silver, costly stones, and treasures. And he will take action against the strongest of fortresses with the help of a foreign god; he will give great honor to those who acknowledge him, and he will cause them to rule over the many, and will parcel out land for a price. (11:37–39).

 

The first line predicts the celibate priesthood of the Catholic Church. Paul told Timothy that bishops should be married, “the husband of one wife . . . who manages his household well. If a man does not know how to manage his household, how will he take care of the church of God?” (1 Tim 3:2–5). The rest just echoes what we’ve already discussed. The Roman Church turned its back on the One True God.

The word translated fortresses is interesting. God’s sanctuary is a fortress in verse 31. In Judges 6:26, an altar to Baal is a fortress. All through the Old Testament the word generally refers to the “strength” of gods.
The Roman Church has directed its worship to Mary and “saints.”(17) Any worship to anyone other than Yahweh is idolatry. As we noted earlier, the Roman Church places itself directly in opposition to the strongest of strengths — Yahweh Himself — with the help of a foreign God.

I have to repeat one other thing here. I’m not condemning individual Catholics. They can be wonderful Christians, like the eye surgeon I’m working with right now. I’m talking about the organization. The salvation of any individual depends on his relationship with the Savior. But the organization has placed itself squarely in opposition to the Bible and its Author. That makes the organization apostate.

Before I go on, I also want to reiterate that the Roman Catholic Church doesn’t stand alone. The King of the North symbolically controls Babylon — confusion. Confusion leads people into idolatry. We see a lot of confusion in churches that are labeled “Christian.” Each heresy they adopt pushes them away from the true gospel of Jesus and further into Babylon.

 

Examples of Babylon in Christianity
Prosperity gospel	“God wants you to be rich.”
Cheap Grace	“Once you’ve been saved, you can’t lose your salvation.”
Liberation theology	“God’s more interested in correcting political oppression than anything else.”

 

Jesus never told his disciples they ’d be rich. Instead, they were to expect persecution (Matt 5:11–12). Saints will be faithful to the end, not fair-weather Christians (Rev 2:10, 3:11). And we’re supposed to honor the civil authorities, not rebel against them (Rom 13:3–7).

The next few verses are among the most difficult in the prophecy. Most interpreters try to take them literally, but that causes problems. For example, Edom, Moab, and Ammon disappeared thousands of years ago. What are we supposed to do with them?

First, let’s remember the political/spiritual pattern we found in all the revelations. This one’s been primarily spiritual since verse 22 and full-out covenant since verse 28. That means that when we see place names, we shouldn’t expect them to represent geography. Instead, the place names point us to something other than a spot on a map.

Second, the Bible interprets itself. I know, that sounds silly. How can a book I don’t understand help me understand itself? It’s actually pretty simple. Just follow me as we go through the next six verses.

 

And at the end time the king of the South will collide with him, and the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, with horsemen, and with many ships; and he will enter countries, overflow, and pass through. He will also enter the Beautiful Land, and many will fall; but these will be rescued out of his hand: Edom, Moab and the foremost of the sons of Ammon. (11:40–41)

 

Remember, this is the spiritual section. So when the king of the North uses chariots, horsemen, and ships, it’s not literal.(18) It’s about conflict between spiritual Babylon and something called the king of the South. We’ll find out who he is shortly.

As false Christianity goes on the march, it enters the Beautiful Land. In a literalistic sense, this is the country of Israel. But since the Church became Israel after God’s covenant lawsuit in Acts 7, this describes the attack of false Christianity on true Christianity. Many will fall.(19) That is, many Christians will lose their faith in the One True God. But what about Edom, Moab, and Ammon?

This is one of those places where I struggled. Then I said to myself, “You idiot! You teach that the Bible interprets itself. Why don’t you practice what you preach?” So I got out a new notebook. When I started looking up Edom, a funny thing started happening. While there are plenty of geographic references to Edom, there are a bunch of places where Edom has buddies. And those buddies are — drum roll, please — Moab and Ammon. Everywhere we find all three; they’re the sworn enemies of Israel. First Samuel 14:47 tells about King Saul fighting against Edom, Moab, and Ammon. Jeremiah 25:21 describes God’s wrath against Edom, Moab, and Ammon because they oppressed Israel. They’re always bad guys.(20)

Let’s get this straight. We’re in the spiritual part of the prophecy. Edom, Moab, and Ammon were always enemies of Israel. But today the church is Israel, and Edom, Moab, and Ammon are long gone. That means we’re looking at a modern group that is opposed to everything labeled “Israel.” That sounds like Islam to me. Not only does Islam preach the extermination of the nation of Israel, it preaches that Christians must convert to Islam or die.(21) It’s not surprising that Moslems would be immune to false Christianity.

We shouldn’t be surprised to see Islam here. Several of the Crusades were aimed at “Moslem Infidels” who had taken “the Holy Land.” If Islam was the King of the South then, it’s only logical that it should be part of the Southern kingdom here.
           
Then he will stretch out his hand against countries, and the land of Egypt will not escape. But he will gain control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; and Libyans and Ethiopians will follow at his heels. (11:42–43)

 

King of the North	False Christianity
Beautiful Land	True Christianity
Edom, Moab, Ammon	Islam
Egypt, Libya, Ethiopia	Atheism

 

 

We’ve found the key. Egypt oppressed the Israelites, and Pharaoh refused to admit that Yahweh was God (Exod 5:2). Instead, he worshiped a whole pantheon of false gods. He rejected Yahweh’s authority right up to the time the Red Sea rolled over him.

When we add Libya and Ethiopia to the mix, we have another biblical combination. The three countries were often allies against Israel (2 Chron 12:1–2). They were also active in commerce. And this brings it all together.

The players all represent spiritual groups. The final set, the atheists, has one god — money. So when false Christianity becomes truly dominant, the atheists just find a different way to make a buck.

 

Rumors from the East and from the North will disturb him, and he will go forth with great wrath to destroy and annihilate many. He will pitch the tents of his royal pavilion between the seas and the beautiful Holy Mountain. (11:44–45a)

 

This isn’t literal geography, it’s geographic metaphor. If the king of the North had been on the map, he’d be in Egypt. Jerusalem would be to his to East and North. Egypt symbolizes one oppressor of Israel, and the beautiful Holy Mountain — Jerusalem — symbolizes true Christianity (Heb 12:22).(22) By pitching his tents between the seas — the wicked world (Rev 17:15) — and the saints, the King of the North prevents the message of the gospel from reaching the world. Because this tracks the book of Revelation so closely, let’s look at it for a moment.

The two witnesses of Revelation 11 symbolize the true church (v. 3).(23) The true gospel really ticks off the false religionists, and they go forth with great wrath to destroy and annihilate. When the church has finished its message, the witnesses “are killed” (Rev 11:7). This isn’t physical. It just means that the message stops. The Holy Spirit tells the saints that their job is over, and it’s time to be quiet.

To the wicked, the true church looks dead. False religionists now stand between the masses of people in the world and the true gospel that had spread from God’s throne.(24) Nobody can hear the gospel again. Of course, nobody wants to hear it, either. At the end, the king of the North will come to his end, and no one will help him (11:45b). God’s in control, all the way to the end.

At that time Michael, the great prince who defends the sons of your people, will arise (12:1a). It’s déjà vu all over again. In Acts 7 we saw a courtroom in heaven, and here it is again. But this time, the focus isn’t on the judge rising to present the verdict. It’s on Michael, the heavenly defender of Israel. His protection is so perfect that everyone whose name is in the Book of Life will be rescued.

This language should make us think of the Day of the Lord. That’s the day when God rescues His people by destroying their enemies. It’s a common theme in the Old Testament, and some of the passages are particularly interesting. In Ezekiel 30:4–5, Egypt, Libya and Ethiopia are destroyed on the Day of the Lord. Edom, Moab, and Ammon join them in Jeremiah 9:25–26 and Isaiah 11:10–16. Babylon gets special attention in Jeremiah 51.

 

There will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. (12:1b–2)

 

The word “many” makes this one of the most difficult passages in the Bible. Revelation 20 talks about two resurrections — the resurrection of the saints at Jesus’ return and the resurrection of the wicked at the end of the millennium. That would seem to add up to everyone, not “many.” Unfortunately, there aren’t any realistic alternate ways to translate 12:2, so we’re stuck with “many.”

This problem forces me to suggest an answer that may not be completely satisfying. A couple of facts stand out. The Old Testament doesn’t use the word “most” in the sense of “the largest part of.”(25) So it’s possible that “many” really means “most.”

Next, we know that at Jesus’ death there was an earthquake and “many” dead saints were raised (Matt 27:51–53). Many commentators believe that Jesus took them to heaven at His ascension (Eph 4:8). So when Jesus returns, “many” of the saints will be raised at the sound of His voice. Then the wicked will be raised a thousand years later.(26) This revelation to Daniel doesn’t separate the two, since the focus is on the final result. The Hebrew doesn’t give us any timing clues, either.

 

Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. (12:3)

 

 Jesus echoes this in Matthew 13:43. The saints will be like the stars of heaven. God isn’t just in control. He’s going to reward His people.

The revelation seems to be over. Daniel’s supposed to seal up the book (12:4). Many will search for truth, and knowledge will increase.(27)

 

Then I, Daniel, looked and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the river, and the other on that bank of the river. And one said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long will it be until the end of these wonders?" 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. (12:5–7)

 

As I pasted this passage into my word processor, I was impressed with a couple of images. First, this scene echoes 8:13–14, where heavenly persons ask and answer important questions. Next, the divine messenger who gave the revelation is joined by three others: one on each side of the river, and another floating above the waters of the river, dressed in linen, the clothing of a priest.

This priest swears by Him who lives forever. In Revelation 10, the “strong angel,” dressed as God the judge, swears by Him who lives forever.(28) Our priest is Jesus (Heb 7), and when He “made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself” (Heb 6:13). The man dressed in linen is Jesus.(29) Because He is part of a threesome, it appears that the entire Trinity is here to add emphasis.
Our Lord and Savior declares the trampling on the saints will last for a time, times, and half a time (12:7). By repeating the language of 7:25, Jesus re-emphasizes His key opponent — the Roman Catholic Church. But, like we discussed before, the Roman Church isn’t the only player on that team. Every form of false religion has some part to play. And all of them will eventually shatter the power of the holy people.

On first glance, it would seem that the power of the holy people would be shattered at the end of the time, times, and half a time. But a semicolon breaks the sentence in two parts. What’s going on?

Hebrew doesn’t have any punctuation. The translators put the semicolon in because of “disjunctive syntax.” That is, the line about times isn’t linked in time to the shattering. The times end, and the shattering comes some time later. How long? Who knows? The text doesn’t tell us.

This happens again in Revelation 11. The two witnesses testify for the same number of times. Then some time later, they are “killed” or shattered. It’s the same prophecy, just in different words. And we don’t get any help on how long later there, either.(30) And just to make matters worse, we discovered in Daniel 7 that this period doesn’t have clear landmarks.

Daniel couldn’t understand, so he asked how things would turn out (12:8). Jesus sent him away with what may be the most cryptic passage in all of Bible prophecy.

 

The words are concealed and sealed up until the time of the end. Many will be purified. Those who have insight will understand. But the wicked will act wickedly. (12:9–10)

 

That’s not particularly helpful.
           
From the time the continual service is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. (12:11)(31)

 

This sounds so much like 8:13 and 7:25 that we have to look back at them. We also have to look at Revelation 11:2–3, 12:6, 14, and 13:5. Every one of these passages is talking about the same set of circumstances. In Revelation 12:14 and 13:5, the Greek for time, times, and half a time is exactly the same as 12:7.(32) The other passages convert it into 42 months or 1,260 days. But just as we’re ready to pick out a set of dates for this period, reality strikes.

If we’re right, the 1,290 days is an extension of the time, times, and half a time that God let Satan have increased power over the saints in 7:25. There was no way we could pin down exact dates for that period. It’s pretty clear that the abomination of desolation is the union of church and state. It comes before the little horn gets his extra power over the saints, but when is that? Did it happen when Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313? Do we pick Valentinian II’s Edict in 380, or the Edict by Valentinian III and Theodosius II in 445, or is some part of Clovis I’s career the best point? There’s no hard and fast answer. All we can really do is see the central theme. When church and state joined hands, they became allies against God. This alliance prepared the way for a Dark Age of persecution.

 

How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days! (12:12)

 

The 1,290 days looked a lot like the 1,260 days. But what's going on here? There doesn't seem to be anything anywhere in scripture even close to this, and that drives interpreters nuts. This language seems to say that about 45 years after God tightens up on Satan, there will be a blessing. But it’s just as hard to pin this down as it’s been for all the other “days.” The best we can do is to identify the era.

The Protestant Reformation and the Great Awakenings brought new life to God’s people. The centuries of oppression were over and biblical knowledge exploded. For the common man, this was a breath of air from the throne. God’s word was among His people again (cf. Exod 25:8).