Video 3 - The Beast
THE ANTICHRIST
Daniel 11:21 to 45
Forgetting the fact that many commentators try to make this passage 'ancient history' rather a prophecy of the end times, here are some questions to assist us in unlocking the content of the chapter.
Questions regarding Daniel 11:21 to the end of the chapter.
11:21 ¶ “And in his place shall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue.
What kingdom is this man trying to obtain? Especially in the Old Testament we find that virtually all of prophecy centers on the nation of Israel. The context of this chapter will reveal that a vile person will convince Israel to accept his benevolent leadership and (implied) protection.
What method does he use to gain the control of the kingdom?
He will use intrigue or flattering, persuasive speech as opposed to the use of force.
What are the living conditions of Israel at the time of his ‘conquering’?
We are not told in this passage of scripture. We get some information from Ezekiel 38:11 “You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’ — 12 “to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land.
11:22 “With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant.
What does verse 22 say about Israel's armed forces?
It does not say anything specific about its size or strength but simply, that in terms of a ‘takeover’, it was rendered powerless by the promises of the conqueror. It would appear that at first they will not even see this as a hostile takeover.
To whom does the 'Prince of the Covenant' refer?
Since prophecy focuses on Israel, I believe this to refer to the high priest. It may also mean the main person in government.
What does it mean to "break the Prince of the covenant"?
It would appear that not only does the majority of Israel fall for the rhetoric of this leader, and not only the leadership of the government, but also the leading high priest of the Jewish religion.
11:23 “And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people.
What is the basis of the 'conqueror's' relationship with Israel?
The basis seems to be some kind of league or agreement. It is totally left to speculation as to what such an agreement entails.
The needs of Israel will always be the need for security and the desire to worship in the pattern and manner of their ancestors. Although the Jews would like to worship and sacrifice in a temple setting, that is not possible at the moment.
At present the security of Israel is a dependency, not only on their own armed forces, but they rely heavily upon the protection of the USA.
And, at present, the Jews are not allowed to worship on the present temple site.
Things can change quickly, so it remains to be seen what this league might contain in terms of a two-sided agreement.
11:24 “He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time.
What seem to be the ‘benefits’ of his league with Israel? v 24.
In exchange for whatever it is that he has promised, his benefits include all kinds of acquisition of wealth. This ‘wealth’ that he obtains is shared with the people of his forefathers.
What is he ‘up to’ in the last part of v24?
We can see that he is being careful in regard to his enemies. He expects that someone will be unhappy with his ‘raping’ of Israel’s resources. He prepares for trouble by preparing an offensive move rather than remaining ready to ‘defend’. He does his strategic planning ‘for a time’.
What is the significance of Daniel’s use of the word or phrase ‘for a time’?
Following Daniel’s use of the word ‘time’, we can understand this to represent about a year.
11:25 “He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South with a great army. And the king of the South shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand, for they shall devise plans against him.
What name or title does Daniel give to the conqueror’s main enemy? v25
His enemy (stronghold) is referred to as ‘the King of the South’.
A battle ensues which is not a small one. In our present world, America would not sit back and allow some leader from the north to come in and begin ripping off Israel. So, for this to take place a number of changes might have to happen.
In the conflict, battle, war of v25, 26, who is defeated and why?
In v27, why did the peace talks fail?
After the ‘truce’ following the battle, list the conqueror’s actions and attitude. v28
At the ‘time appointed’ (a year later?) what happens? V29, 30
What does verse 30 (and a phrase in verse 28) indicate about the conqueror’s ‘belief system’?
With whom does the conqueror collaborate with reference to his negative attitude regarding the holy covenant?
In v31 what major development enables the ‘conqueror’ to make his move against the temple and the restored Jewish system of worship?
What two opposing groups become polarized? V32
In v33 what are ‘informed Christians’ doing?
In v34 Many Christians have ‘fallen’ to martyrdom etc., but christians receive ‘a little help’. What do you understand from this, is the ‘help’ that they receive a favorable change in politics, help from God as direct answers to prayers, or from some other specific source?
And what does the last sentence of the verse mean?
What does verse 35 imply about some believers?
Compare verse 36, 37 with 2 Thessalonians 2:4? What are your findings?
Compare verse 39 with Revelation 13:14-15. List your thoughts.
Verse 40 describes a third conflict. Who initiates this one? Why? See Ezekiel 38:13. Why does he fail? Verse 31 may have the answer.
What is the outcome of this conflict?
Compare this with Revelation 17:12,13.16,17 ; Rev. 18:11-24.
Verses 40 and 41 introduces a 4th conflict or conquest. You may compare this to Ezekiel 38:14-16.
Verse 44 the conqueror receives bad news and is prepared for yet another battle. How is this similar to Revelation 16.12? (This would have been battle number 5.)
Verse 45 the conqueror comes to his end. How does this happen? Compare and comment on Revelation 17:12-14.
Rev 19.19-21
Questions regarding Daniel 11:21 to the end of the chapter.
11:21 ¶ “And in his place shall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue.
What kingdom is this man trying to obtain? Especially in the Old Testament we find that virtually all of prophecy centers on the nation of Israel. The context of this chapter will reveal that a vile person will convince Israel to accept his benevolent leadership and (implied) protection.
What method does he use to gain the control of the kingdom?
He will use intrigue or flattering, persuasive speech as opposed to the use of force.
What are the living conditions of Israel at the time of his ‘conquering’?
We are not told in this passage of scripture. We get some information from Ezekiel 38:11 “You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’ — 12 “to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land.
11:22 “With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant.
What does verse 22 say about Israel's armed forces?
It does not say anything specific about its size or strength but simply, that in terms of a ‘takeover’, it was rendered powerless by the promises of the conqueror. It would appear that at first they will not even see this as a hostile takeover.
To whom does the 'Prince of the Covenant' refer?
Since prophecy focuses on Israel, I believe this to refer to the high priest. It may also mean the main person in government.
What does it mean to "break the Prince of the covenant"?
It would appear that not only does the majority of Israel fall for the rhetoric of this leader, and not only the leadership of the government, but also the leading high priest of the Jewish religion.
11:23 “And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people.
What is the basis of the 'conqueror's' relationship with Israel?
The basis seems to be some kind of league or agreement. It is totally left to speculation as to what such an agreement entails.
The needs of Israel will always be the need for security and the desire to worship in the pattern and manner of their ancestors. Although the Jews would like to worship and sacrifice in a temple setting, that is not possible at the moment.
At present the security of Israel is a dependency, not only on their own armed forces, but they rely heavily upon the protection of the USA.
And, at present, the Jews are not allowed to worship on the present temple site.
Things can change quickly, so it remains to be seen what this league might contain in terms of a two-sided agreement.
11:24 “He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time.
What seem to be the ‘benefits’ of his league with Israel? v 24.
In exchange for whatever it is that he has promised, his benefits include all kinds of acquisition of wealth. This ‘wealth’ that he obtains is shared with the people of his forefathers.
What is he ‘up to’ in the last part of v24?
We can see that he is being careful in regard to his enemies. He expects that someone will be unhappy with his ‘raping’ of Israel’s resources. He prepares for trouble by preparing an offensive move rather than remaining ready to ‘defend’. He does his strategic planning ‘for a time’.
What is the significance of Daniel’s use of the word or phrase ‘for a time’?
Following Daniel’s use of the word ‘time’, we can understand this to represent about a year.
11:25 “He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South with a great army. And the king of the South shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand, for they shall devise plans against him.
What name or title does Daniel give to the conqueror’s main enemy? v25
His enemy (stronghold) is referred to as ‘the King of the South’.
A battle ensues which is not a small one. In our present world, America would not sit back and allow some leader from the north to come in and begin ripping off Israel. So, for this to take place a number of changes might have to happen.
- Israel would have to be ‘let down’ by the USA.
- Or, someone from the North offers a better arrangement than what they presently are receiving from the USA.
- By the time this prophecy is fulfilled, there no longer will be a USA as we know it.
In the conflict, battle, war of v25, 26, who is defeated and why?
In v27, why did the peace talks fail?
After the ‘truce’ following the battle, list the conqueror’s actions and attitude. v28
At the ‘time appointed’ (a year later?) what happens? V29, 30
What does verse 30 (and a phrase in verse 28) indicate about the conqueror’s ‘belief system’?
With whom does the conqueror collaborate with reference to his negative attitude regarding the holy covenant?
In v31 what major development enables the ‘conqueror’ to make his move against the temple and the restored Jewish system of worship?
What two opposing groups become polarized? V32
In v33 what are ‘informed Christians’ doing?
In v34 Many Christians have ‘fallen’ to martyrdom etc., but christians receive ‘a little help’. What do you understand from this, is the ‘help’ that they receive a favorable change in politics, help from God as direct answers to prayers, or from some other specific source?
And what does the last sentence of the verse mean?
What does verse 35 imply about some believers?
Compare verse 36, 37 with 2 Thessalonians 2:4? What are your findings?
Compare verse 39 with Revelation 13:14-15. List your thoughts.
Verse 40 describes a third conflict. Who initiates this one? Why? See Ezekiel 38:13. Why does he fail? Verse 31 may have the answer.
What is the outcome of this conflict?
Compare this with Revelation 17:12,13.16,17 ; Rev. 18:11-24.
Verses 40 and 41 introduces a 4th conflict or conquest. You may compare this to Ezekiel 38:14-16.
Verse 44 the conqueror receives bad news and is prepared for yet another battle. How is this similar to Revelation 16.12? (This would have been battle number 5.)
Verse 45 the conqueror comes to his end. How does this happen? Compare and comment on Revelation 17:12-14.
Rev 19.19-21