The Antichrist Prefigured – Daniel 11:21-35

Daniel 11:21-45 takes us from the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes to the Antichrist of the end times. In this sermon we study Antiochus Epiphanes who is a prototype of the Antichrist.

The chapter divides into two main sections:

• Vs. 1-35 pertain to the Greek kingdoms of Egypt (Ptolemy) and Syria (Seleucid) and particularly to the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes. These events occurred exactly as written between 301 and 168 B.C. The history is found in Josephus and the book of the Maccabees.
• Vs. 36-45 pertain to the Antichrist. The words “time of the end” point beyond Antiochus, beyond the church age, to the last days.

In this sermon we will study Vs. 21-45 which take us from the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, a prototype of the Antichrist, to the Antichrist of the end times (Vs. 36-45). We will divide the text under two headings:

• The Antichrist Pre-figured (Vs. 21-35)
• The Antichrist Predicted (Vs. 36-45)

The Antichrist Prefigured (Vs. 21-35)

His Description (Vs. 21a)

1. “a vile person” = the word ‘vile’ means morally debased, depraved
2. John Phillips: “Various ancient historians agree that young Antiochus was indeed “vile” or “contemptible,” as the text declares. Often, his behavior was eccentric, if not actually mad. He was given to the most degraded and unnatural vices. He was unscrupulous, cruel, of a savage temper, and fond of the company of the lowest of men. He was erratic and cunning but not devoid of courage.”
3. John Gill: “He is called ‘vile,’ being a very immoral man, given to drunkenness, lasciviousness, uncleanness, and unnatural lusts, and a violent persecutor…The word signifies ‘despicable.’” Gill goes on to state that he lived a lascivious and foolish lifestyle “drinking with strangers, and people of low life; reveling at merry bouts with young people; putting on strange habits; throwing away his money among the rabble.”

His Deceptions (Vs. 21b-24)

1. Deceitful in his ascension to the throne (Vs. 21b)
   1. “obtain the kingdom by flatteries” = the nobles and people did not want to give Antiochus the kingdom, preferring Demetrius, son of Selecus, who was being held hostage in Rome.
   2. “To gain the throne, he made flattering speeches to the nobles, made false promises and gave gifts to the citizens.” (Cloud)
   3. Note: When someone flatters you, they have a hidden agenda, an ulterior motive (Prov. 29:5). See also Prov. 2:16, 7:5 and 20:19
   4. Note: Deception is the devil’s trademark, the key weapon he uses to his advantage. Therefore, it is no surprise that the coming Antichrist will be a master deceiver.
2. Deceitful in his agreements (Vs. 22-24)
   1. Harry Ironside: “At the beginning, he made a league both with the Jews and with Ptolemy Philometer but proved false to each, as God had declared he would.”
   2. “he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches” = he distributed the spoils of Egypt to his soldiers and followers

His Destructions (Vs. 25-26)

1. Antiochus attacks the Southern kingdom of Egypt (Ptolemy Philomater) and prevails.
2. “for they shall forecast devices against him” = one of the main reasons for Antiochus’ victory against the king of the South was his clever espionage behind the scenes where he seduced key men within Philomator’s inner circle (e.g. military commanders) to work for him. These men are referred to as “they that feed of the portion of his meat”
3. Josephus said that Antiochus “circumvented Ptolemy Philometor by fraud.”

His Desecrations (Vs. 27-32a)

These verses document two attacks of Antiochus against Judea. They both followed failed attempts to gain power over the Southern kingdom.

A Failed Covenant – Israel attacked (Vs. 27-28)

1. Antiochus and Ptolemy met (“at one table”) and pretended to be friendly to one another but in reality, they both had their own secret agenda and planned on deceiving the other. “Though they seemed to carry it very friendly to one another, yet at the same time they were contriving in their minds to do as much mischief to each other as they could.” (Gill)
2. On his return to Syria, he attacked Israel. Historians say this was on account of rumors the Jews had revolted against him but the Word of God highlights the true heart motive – his heart was “against the holy covenant”.
3. 2 Maccabees 5:11-14 – “When these happenings were reported to the king, he thought that Judea was in revolt. Raging like a wild animal, he set out from Egypt and took Jerusalem by storm. He ordered his soldiers to cut down without mercy those whom they met and to slay those who took refuge in their houses. There was a massacre of young and old, a killing of women and children, a slaughter of virgins and infants. In the space of three days, eighty thousand were lost, forty thousand meeting a violent death, and the same number being sold into slavery.”

A Failed Conquest – Israel attacked (Vs. 29-32a)

1. Antiochus attacked Egypt again but was unsuccessful. The Southern kingdom had formed a new alliance with the Roman Empire and when Antiochus arrived, the “ships of Chittim” (Roman navy and representatives) were waiting for him.
2. The Romans demanded that Antioch depart from Egypt at once. Antiochus had no choice but to leave.
3. Antiochus left Egypt in a diabolical rage and on his way home, unleashed his revenge against Israel – “therefore he shall be grieved, and return and have indignation against the holy covenant…” (Vs. 30-31)
4. In 168 B.C. Antiochus caused the daily temple sacrifices to cease and polluted the sanctuary with sacrifices of pigs. He set up an idolatrous image (idol) of Jupiter in the temple (2 Maccabees 6:2). This is what is referred to as “the abomination that maketh desolate” (See Dan. 9:27; 11:31 & 12:11)
5. The same year Antiochus struck a coin with his image on one side and a depiction of himself seated as Jupiter on the other. The inscription read, “Antiochus, image of God, bearer of victory.”
6. Note: Antichrist will also force the world to worship the idolatrous image of himself (Rev. 13:14-18). He will have total power both religiously and economically.

His Devastation (Vs. 32b-35)

Antiochus’ rampage against the Jews evoked an uprising that would see his grip of power on the holy land broken. It is known in history as the Maccabean revolt. The resistance took two important forms:

1. Education – “shall instruct many” (Vs. 33)
   1. “they that understand…shall instruct many” = A new class emerged called the Maschilim (“the wise”), men who knew the Word of God and who struggled to keep the true faith alive in the midst of persecution.
   2. “yet they shall fall by the sword…” = many perished by fire and sword or were enslaved (‘captivity’). Possibly the persecutions listed in Hebrews 11:35-37 are drawn from this dark period of history.
2. Contention – “shall be strong, and do exploits” (Vs. 32)
   1. The Maccabees War against Antiochus and the Greek Seleucid Empire lasted from 167 to 160 B.C. Judah and his forces were called ‘Maccabees’ which is the Hebrew word for hammer (makkebbeth), because of their unexpected, hammer-like attacks on the Greeks. (Cloud) (Refer slide for further detail). The temple was recaptured, cleansed and repaired in 164 B.C.
   2. CHALLENGE: In these dark times, like the godly remnant during the dark reign of Antiochus, we need to keep faith alive by diligent education in the truth and by a spiritual contending for the doctrines we hold dear (Jude 1:3). “We further covenant to maintain family and secret devotion; to religiously educate our children…”

Sermon 21 of 23 in Daniel Series

Sermon Audio Id: 92119618187563