d) The cataclysm (v. 44)
“But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him; therefore, he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to sweep away many. ”
At this point in the tribulation the events described in Revelation 6-18 begin to unfold. God will pour out His wrath: the seven seals will be opened, the seven trumpets blown, and the seven bowls poured out. His wrath will engulf the earth while the Antichrist reigns as God.
The one-sixth of the Russian army that God spared from destruction will regroup for a second attack on the Antichrist. The “tidings out of the east” (Dan. 11:44) are explained in Revelation 9:13-16: at the blowing of the sixth trumpet the apostle John “heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, Loose the four angels who are bound in the great River, Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, who were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, to slay the third part of men. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand. ”
That passage describes an army that will come from the east of Israel. It may be a demonic host or it may be a human army, perhaps from communist China. Back in the May 22, 1965 edition of Time magazine (p. 35) it was reported that the Chinese standing militia numbers over 200 million–an army that has been ready for a long time and ironically knows little of the book of Revelation. The eastern army will move toward Israel desiring to gain control over the Middle East and throw off the rule of the Antichrist.
According to Daniel 11:44 the Antichrist will triumph again in a second great battle. That’s not surprising because he will have Satan and hell on his side helping him.
e) The climax (v. 45a)
“He [the Antichrist] shall plant the tabernacle of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain. ”
Mount Zion lies between the Mediterranean and Dead seas. In the Temple of Jerusalem the Antichrist will set up his base of operations and declare himself God. That will occur near the end of the tribulation. Israel will lie devastated as a result of war and persecution. Two thirds of the people of Israel will be killed (Zech. 13:8). But that is not the way history ends.
f) The condemnation (v. 45b)
“He shall come to his end, and none shall help him. ”
Just when he seems invincible the Antichrist will come to his end. When he thinks he has won the Battle of Armageddon the Lord Jesus Christ will descend with a sword from the sky and slay him (Rev. 19:11-21; 2 Thess. 2:8). The Antichrist will be no match for God’s true King.
Just prior to Christ’s return Israel will reach its deepest point of sorrow, suffering, and humiliation. As He comes to their rescue they will look upon Him “whom they have pierced” (Zech. 12:10) , and they will be redeemed. They will already have been evangelized by the 144 thousand Jewish witnesses during the second three-and-a-half years of the tribulation (Rev. 7:4-10). At their lowest point they will finally accept the gospel they have heard.
Conclusion
There are three major lessons in the eleventh chapter of Daniel:
A. God Is in Control
Every detail of history is under God’s control. Every ruler–Ahasuerus, Alexander, Antiochus the Great, Antiochus Epiphanes, the Antichrist, and anyone in between–has carried out His will. It’s a comfort to know that history is His story. All is in His hand and there’s no need to worry about the future.
B. God Is Purging His People
God continues to purge Israel. That purging will end in an incredible day of testing for Israel. In Luke 21:28 the Lord warned, “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth near. ”
C. God Will Triumph over Evil
The world’s godless system will end in a holocaust and Christ will triumph over it. For those who know and love the Lord Jesus Christ that will inaugurate a blissful future that will last forever! I hope you know Him.
Focusing on the Facts
1. What does God use suffering to accomplish in the lives of His people (Dan. 11:35; see p. 2)?
2. How do some commentators view the events of Daniel 11:36-45 in the chronology of history? What do they refuse to accept (see p. 3)?
3. Why is it probable that Daniel 11:36-45 is speaking of the future (see pp. 3-4)?
4. List the titles in Scripture that describe the Antichrist (see p. 4).
5. Why will the Antichrist be able to do everything “according to his will”? Who will empower and cooperate with him (see p. 4)?
6. Why will it be necessary for the western world under the Antichrist to step forward as the protector of Israel (see p. 4)?
7. In what way will the Antichrist be the epitome of pride (see p. 5)?
8. Although he will exalt himself above all, what will the Antichrist tolerate at first (see p. 5)?
9. Why will God tolerate the atrocities of the Antichrist? What will his blasphemy and oppression lead Israel to do (see p. 6)?
10. In what three ways will the Antichrist be perverted (Dan. 11:37; see p. 6)?
11. Why may it be said that the world today is ready for a leader like the Antichrist (see p. 7)?
12. Instead of God or people what will the Antichrist worship (Dan. 11:38; see p. 8)?
13. How will the Antichrist convince people to recognize his authority and persuade them to be loyal to him (see p. 9)?
14. What will erupt against the Antichrist’s world rule (Dan. 11:40; see p. 9)?
15. Identify the country that the phrase “the king of the north” represents. What evidence exists to identify it (see p. 10)?
16. Describe the conditions in Israel when the “king of the north” will attack (Ezek. 38:11; see pp. 10-11).
17. What nations will help the “king of the north” in its attack on Israel (Ezek. 38:5; see p. 11)?
18. Whose power is responsible for the Antichrist’s victory over the armies of the north and south (see p. 11)?
19. What will the Antichrist do after he defeats the northern and southern armies (Dan. 11:41; see p. 12)?
20. What tidings from the east and north will trouble the Antichrist (Rev. 9:13-16; see p. 13)?
21. Why isn’t it surprising that the Antichrist will triumph in the second great battle predicted in Daniel 11:44 (see p. 14)?
22. When will the Antichrist finally meet his end? What will happen to Israel at that point (see p. 15)?
Pondering the Principles
1. God will tolerate the atrocities of the Antichrist because they will be part of the process of purifying Israel. It’s the incredible blasphemy and oppression of the Antichrist that will finally bring Israel to recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah. Meditate on Isaiah 1:24-26, Malachi 3:1-4, Ephesians 1:4, and 1 Peter 5:8-10. The purity of God’s people is a priority in His plan. Are you working with God in purifying your life (cf. 1 John 3:3)? Are you sensitive to His leading and pliable to His correction? Or does it require extreme measures (like it has for Israel) for you to respond in accordance with His will?
2. It’s a great comfort to know that God is in control of history. When Gog, the northern prince, brings his army out of the north to gain control of Israel, it will be supernaturally destroyed by God. Read through Ezekiel 38:18; 39:7. God will be glorified by destroying forces that oppose Him and seek to destroy His people. At that time those who wondered about or denied God’s existence will clearly see His power displayed (Ezek. 38:23). Though we don’t see such massive demonstrations today, there are other miracles that are no less dramatic. Have you recently witnessed the transformation of someone who has received a spiritual rebirth through faith in Christ? That is no less a demonstration of God’s sovereign power. Praise the Lord who someday will be known by everyone for His great power and majesty (Rev. 15:3).
“This article originally appeared here at Bible Bulletin Board.”
