Daniel 11 Talks about kings and starts off with identifying the king of Greece, Alexander the Great in verses 3 and 4.
- Verses 9 thru 20 are somewhat repeated in some areas but the king of the north here is Rome, and the king of the south is the Jewish nation with its “strong position” (vs.12), “a city with fortifications” (vs.15) being Jerusalem. It is very likely that Jesus was referring (along with Daniel 8) to this area in Daniel when he was talking to his disciples about difficult times to come (Mathew 24; Luke 21). But Jesus was probably also referring to similar actions of the king of the north in our day (vs.21-45).
- Verses 21 through 45 refer to the king of the north for our day. If one “works backwards” in the timeline in Daniel, one realizes that the king of the north of our day destroys (or conquers) literal Jerusalem. // Daniel 11:23 uses the term “by means of a little nation” – the Ref. footnote: or “fewness of a nation”
- There is a difference between the ending of the king of the north for our day (vs.45) and the ending of the king of the north of early Christian times (vs.20). There is also a difference with the kings of the south. In verse 10, it mentions the king of the south goes back to this fortress (Jerusalem) and it does not mention that the king of the south (back then) had a large army as it does for the king of the south for our day (vs.25 “…and the king of the south, for his part, will excite himself for the war with an exceedingly great and mighty military force.”
- Verses 21-24 are talking about the kings of the north and south for our day. Verses 25-45 elaborate on verses 21-24. The critical identification of a point in time (for us) is when the king of the north destroys or conquers and occupies Jerusalem (vs.31). – See comments on Daniel 7:19-20 and comments in Daniel 8:23-25.
- Notice in verse 27 how diplomacy occurs but in untruth.
- Notice verse 28 shows that the king of the north goes back to his land with “a great amount of goods” – much different than the king of the north in early Christian times. This is also done after diplomacy (vs.27). This verse also shows how the king of the north’s determination is against the holy ones – Along with the wild beast’s determination mentioned in Revelation 13.
- It seems that starting with verse 30b “And he…” thru verse 31, this is an elaboration of verse 28.
- Verses 29-30 shows another war campaign of the king of the north but that “he will have to become dejected” -see vs.30b comments.
- Verse 31 – The “arms that will stand up, proceeding from him” shows he has or will have great military capability.
- Verse 31 – The “constant [feature]” is “removed” – Jerusalem is destroyed or conquered by the king of the north. – This “constant [feature]” is also translated “continual [sacrifice]” – See Jeremiah 33:18; Daniel 8:11-13 has good notes on this term and compare 12:11
- Verses 32-39 speaks of actions of the king of the north of our time. Some of these actions could start before the fall of the present-day city of Jerusalem.
- Verse 32 “And those acting wickedly against [the] covenant” could be anyone who purposefully continues to apostatize by holding on to false scriptural teachings The king of the north will try to “lead” ones into apostasy by “smooth words” – This could be some type of agreement between the king of the north and those who want to hold onto false beliefs or trickery to get God’s people to “receive the mark” of the wild beast. The term “smooth words” may denote the settings of a trap or acting with hypocrisy (see vs.34). Notice: Other prophesy denotes that a large-scale ban will take place on God’s people. So, this warning can apply to all. See Revelation 13:7 comments.
- Verses 33-35 talk about some of those who have insight and that many will be made to stumble because of them. This is a cleansing or whitening process concerning straightening worship to God. This is part of a separating and preparing work within God’s people so they can be measured (Malachi 4:5,6; Matthew 24:9-12; Revelation 21:9-21; Compare Revelation 11:1 comments and Proverbs 3:5-6 footnote in the American Standard Version) Anyone promoting a false teaching as being from God is a false prophet and will need Jehovah to forgive them because they sinned against him – see Zechariah 13:2-6; 3:4; James 5:15
- Verse 34 “they will be helped with a little help” – See Ezekiel 7:26; 11:16 for possible parallel applications. Compare also Matthew 25:31-40 (Those who help Christ’s brothers and sisters). This could also refer to including the hope given from understanding that God’s kingdom is near!
- Verse 34 “…and many will certainly join themselves to them by means of smoothness.” – The Interlinear Bible translates it this way: “…But many will join them, with hypocrisy.” // So here we can see the possibility of government or other spies and/or hypocrites joining themselves to God’s people although God’s people at this time have endured times of “sackcloth” – Compare Matthew 22:2-14; Revelation 11:2
- Verse 36-39 shows how the king of the north of our time will “magnify himself” and will give glory “to the god of fortresses” (to “worship” military might)
- Verses 40-45 repeats actions mentioned in verses 25-30 but with slightly different information. Verse 43 mentions that Ethiopia will be at his feet – In ancient times Ethiopia bordered Egypt’s southern border – Not like today. Notice vs.44-45 “But there will be reports that will disturb him, out of the sunrising and out of the north, and he will certainly go forth in a great rage in order to annihilate and to devote many to destruction …. and he will have to come all the way to his end, and there will be no helper for him.” – This could also have been foretold at Isaiah 46:11 referring to Jehovah; “the one calling from the sunrising a bird of prey, from a distant land the man to execute my counsel” Remember Daniel 7:26 when it refers to the king of the north for our day; “And the Court itself proceeded to sit, and his own rulership they finally took away, in order to annihilate [him] and to destroy [him] totally.” This happens at the end of the three and a half year time period. However, when someone takes into consideration the comments for Revelation 6:2, this phrase “out of the sunrising” can refer to as: “being given authority by Jehovah” + “to conquer” – So it is possible that it could be a king(s) authorized by Jehovah to destroy the king of the north – Or even Christ himself with his armies! This would certainly put fear in men to submit – Compare Psalms 2 and Revelation 11:12,13,17,18: Revelation 6:12-17; Matthew 24:27-31; Hebrews 9:28 (WEB): 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who are eagerly waiting for him for salvation.
Daniel 12
A continuation of chapter 11…
Daniel 12:1 “And during that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who is standing in behalf of the sons of your people. And there will certainly occur a time of distress such as has not been made to occur since there came to be a nation until that time. And during that time your people will escape, everyone who is found written down in the book.” – This seems to happen very soon after the king of the north is defeated, or he could be finally defeated by Jesus and his armies too! See above comments for Daniel 11:40-45.
Daniel is told that the words of the vision are sealed (or closed) until the time of the end, being the end of the rule of the gentile nations.
- Verse 2 – Resurrections start of “many of those asleep in the ground of dust” – Compare John 5:28,29
- Verse 3 – “And the ones having insight will shine like the brightness of the expanse; and those who are bringing the many to righteousness, like the stars to time indefinite, even forever.”
- Verse 4 shows us that the words are “sealed up” until the time of the end. If this is the true understanding, we will be in the time of the end of Gentile rulers! But the clock does not start ticking until the king of the north of our day takes the old city of Jerusalem away from Israel and occupies it – See Daniel 11:31; 12:11
- Verse 6 The question is asked: “How long will it be to the end of the wonderful things?” The Emphasized Bible: “How long shall be the end of the wonders?” The NIV Interlinear: “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?” – The time period is given twice. Once in verse 7; “It will be for an appointed time, appointed times and a half.” It continues to say when it ends: “And as soon as there will have been a finishing of the dashing of the power of the holy people to pieces, all these things will come to their finish.” Another more accurate time period along with the start time is given in verse 11; “And from the time the constant [feature] has been removed and there has been a placing of the disgusting thing that is causing desolation, there will be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.” The reason that these are the same time periods is that they are both three-and-a-half lunar years long. It is just that one has the leap month inserted. This is a time of great tribulation for God’s people and others. Satan is restricted to the earth. Yahweh (Jehovah) removes his spirit from “his people” to allow a cleansing and it is at this time that Jesus takes “half” of spiritual Jerusalem (144,000 who are found to have their worship acceptable to Yahweh) into the “wilderness” for three and a-half years. The other “half” (144,000+144,000=288,000) will be sealed by the time of the completion of the “dashing of the power of the holy people to pieces.” Satan is allowed to test God’s people to the limit as he did with the Christians of old.
- Verses 9 and 10 are repeat information.
- Between verses 11 and 12, there are 45 days. This corresponds with a time period at Matthew 24:29-31 and Revelation 11:11-13 and events in the book of Jonah. The very start of this time period (three and a half days) appears to be when the “two witnesses” appear to be “dead” to the nations – They no doubt rejoice due to the “stinging” messages from them. But a great sign is seen, and they realize they acted against God’s people. They need to repent or die. They show repentance and submission by turning on Babylon the Great (False religion) and destroying her (See Revelation 11:11-13 and 14:6-11 comments and Psalms 2)
- Verse 12: “Happy is the one who is keeping in expectation and who arrives at the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days!” – This would be at the end of the 45 day period when Michael begins his rule on earth. For those who do not repent or submit they will perish (Revelation 16:13-14; 19:11-21). However, great rejoicing occurs with God’s people – they will walk in pride (to the glory of Jehovah – Isaiah 45:17). See Revelation 20:6; Psalms 2
- Verse 13: “And as for you yourself, go toward the end; and you will rest, but you will stand up for your lot at the end of the days.” Daniel was given assurance that although he would die, he would be resurrected. This is literal and part of the resurrection mentioned in 12:2. This corresponds to Revelation 11:15 (WEB):15 The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!”