King of the North (Dan 11)

In Dan 11:29-45, the King of the North is a type of the Antichrist. Dan 11 contains prophecy that covers the time period from the Medo-Persian Empire (c. 536 B.C.) to the Last Day.  In Dan 11:29, there is a transition in the prophecy that moves the reader to the rise of the Antichrist during the Great Tribulation, that occurs just before the Last Day.  In Dan 11:29-45, an important description of the character and actions of the King of the North is on display. The following describe the character and actions taken by the King of the North (Antichrist) during the Great Tribulation:

  • Hatred of the Holy Covenant
  • Daily Removed / Abomination of Desolation
  • Corruption by Flattery
  • Persecution of God’s People
  • Pride of the King of the North
  • Honor and Worship of Satan’s Kingdom

Please click on the below link to view a You Tube video. Or, continue below with a more detailed study on the King of the North.

king north1290 days 1335 daysknowledge increases

Background of Daniel 11 and the ‘Time of the End’

King of the North

King of the South

Egypt – Spiritually Represents Jerusalem

South – location of God’s people

The King of the North’s End Time Actions (Dan 11:29-39)

Action #1 – Hatred of the Holy Covenant (Dan 11:29-30)

Action #2 – Daily Taken Away / Abomination of Desolation (Dan 11:31)

Action #3 – Corruption by Flattery of Those who do Wickedness against the Covenant (Dan 11:32, 34)

Action #4 – Persecution of God’s People, but Christians will Spread Gospel (Dan 11:32-35)

Action #5 – The Pride of the King of the North (Dan 11:36-37)

Action #6 – Honoring and Worshiping Satan’s Kingdom (Dan 11:38-39)

Recapitulation of the End Time Actions of the King of the North (Dan 11:40-45)

The King of the North’s Response to the King of the South’s Push (Dan 10:40)

King of the North – those Conquered and the Allies (Dan 11:41-43)

The End of the King of the North from the East and West (Dan 11:44-45)

The Last Day – Michael Stands Up / Resurrection (Dan 12:1-3)

3½ Times, 1290 Day and 1335 Days

3½ Times

1290 – The time of the Removal of the Daily and the abomination of Desolation

1335 days – The time of patience for salvation

Sealing of the Book until the End (Dan 12:4, 8-10)

 

Background of Daniel 11 and the ‘Time of the End’

 

Similar to other visions in the Book of Daniel, Daniel 11 contain a prophecy that describes future events.  Daniel 2 (concerning the great image) depicts events that would occur historically just after the fall of the kingdom of Babylon (i.e., kingdoms of the Medes / Persians, Greece and Rome), but have their final fulfillment at the end of time (Dan 2:33-35, 44).  In Daniel 7, we find the four beasts, which similarly symbolize the kingdoms of the Medes / Persians, Greece and Rome, but the final fulfillment is at the end of time (Dan 7:8-14, 26-27) when Jesus Christ returns in judgment.  Daniel 8 involves historical events and even directly names the kingdoms subsequent to Babylon as the Medes and Persians and Greece (Dan 8:20-21).  However, the Daniel 8 prophecy then moves to the end of time and discusses the little horn that shall arise (Dan 8:9-14, 23-25), which is the same little horn as discussed in Daniel 7.

 

Similar to those proceeding prophecies, Dan 11 discusses the events that would immediately follow the fall of Babylon.  We find that the Dan 11 prophecy was written in the first year of Darius the Mede (Dan 11:1), which would have been just after the fall of Babylon (Dan 5:30-31).   The prophecy of Dan 11 discusses the following subsequent historical events:

  • Dan 11:2 – Three subsequent kings of Persia shall arise
  • Dan 11:2-4 – The rise of Alexander the great and the dividing of his kingdom to his four generals
  • Dan 11:5-45 – Intrigue and battles between the King of the North (historically the Selucidae in Syria, which included Babylon) and the King of the South (historically the Ptolemies of Egypt).

 

However, we find evidence that Daniel 11:29-45 indeed depicts some historical events that occurred prior to the advent of Christ. These events include the rise of the King of the North (Antioch Epiphanes), who placed an idol in the Jerusalem temple.  However, we find that the historical fulfillments of this passage are ultimately just a type of the spiritually significant fulfillment of the church age, Great Tribulation and the Last Day.  There is clear fulfillment of the Last Day in Dan 11:45 where the King of the North comes to his end.  The very next verse (Dan 12:1) says that at this time, there will be a day of trouble such has never been which results in the deliverance of God’s people and the resurrection of the dead (Dan 12:1-3), which clearly point to the Last Day (e.g., Dan 5:25-30).

 

In order to discern the events of the Great Tribulation and the antichrist, we find pointers in Dan 11:27 and Dan 11:29.  There is a transition that begins in Dan 11:29 that describes the events at the ‘appointed’ time, which points to the end-time Great Tribulation since it involves the Abomination of Desolation.  In Dan 11:31, the final evil King of the North places the Abomination of Desolation in the Holy Place, Jerusalem (Mat 24:15).  We know that this passage (Dan 11:29-45) has a final fulfillment in the final days for the following reasons:

  1. Jesus referred to the Abomination of Desolation (spoken of by the prophet Daniel) as still not fulfilled in His day because the placement of the Abomination of Desolation marked the Great Tribulation that would occur just before the second coming of Jesus Christ (Mat 24:15, Mat 24:21, Mat 24:29-31).
  2. Dan 11:27, Dan 11:29 and Dan 11:35 discuss that the following events would occur at the ‘appointed time’. Dan 11:27 states that the ‘appointed time’ is at the end (Heb: qets, H7093), which is the same word used in Dan 12:4, 12:6, 12:9, 12:13 which indicates the end of time (Last Day) and the return of Christ.  Also, the word for ‘appointed time’ is actually the same word that is used for ‘congregation’ and is this root word is used over 200 times in the Old Testament (mostly translated as congregation).  This would suggest that the ‘appointed time’ or congregation is the last day when all the saved are gathered together (e.g., Mat 24:21, 2 Thess 2:1 etc.) and the gathering of all other people for Judgment Day (Rev 16:14, Rev 17:14, Rev 19:9, Rev 20:8, etc.).
  3. Importantly, we find that just after the events of Dan 11:29-45, we find a clear portrait of the Last Day in Dan 12:1-3, which would connects to the events of Dan 11:29-45 (see especially Dan 11:40-45 which discuss the preparations for the final Judgment day battle) to the time just before Judgment Day (similar to how it is described in Matthew 24 and Mark 13). Notably, in Dan 12:1, the phrase ‘at that time’ indicates a clear continuity to the events on Dan 11:29-45:
  • And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (Dan 12:1-3)

 

Based on the above, the Bible teaches an immediate (at that time) linkage between the Last Day of Dan 12:1-3 with the events of Daniel 11.  Dan 11:27-29, provides evidence that at least Dan 11:29-45 also portray future events (i.e., Great Tribulation) that leads right to the future Last Day.  Although, many have seen historical fulfillment in the events of Dan 11:29-45, these historical events should not just be taken as already fulfilled prophecy, but rather that the presumed historical events of Dan 11 were just types of the Great Tribulation and the Last Day.

King of the North

 

It is important to identify the spiritual (symbolic) meaning of the King of the North.  The Hebrew word for ‘north’ is the word taphon and occurs about 150 times in the Old Testament.  The word literally means ‘hidden’ or ‘dark’.

 

We find that the most significant reference to the ‘King of the North’ relates to King Nebuchadnezzar, who was the glorious king of Babylon (see Jer 1:15, Jer 25:8-9, Jer 25:26, Eze 26:7).  The king of Babylon is also a type of the Antichrist who is powered by Satan (Isa 14:3-14). The King of Babylon was allowed by God to inflict judgment on Jerusalem and the land of Judah.  Therefore, it is not surprising that the King of the North in Dan 11-12 is also referred to that evil end time King of the North who will remove the ‘daily’ and set up the Abomination of Desolation.  He also persecute God’s people (true Christians) as we shall see below.  From a historical standpoint, the Selucidae Empire (King of the North in Dan 11) included the former Babylon.

 

There are more Bible references of judgment that comes from the north.  This evil that will befall the land of Judah is said to come out of the north (Jer 1:12-13, 4:6).  A great commotion will come out of the north to make the cities of Judah desolate (Jer 10:22).  A great army comes from the north to invade the land (Joel 2:20, Eze 38:15).  From a positive perspective, we find that God will once again restore Judah from her captivity from the North Country (Jer 31:8. Jer 3:12, Jer 3:18, Jer 23:8).

 

Finally, Babylon will also receive her ultimate fate on Judgment Day from the north (Jer 50:9, 50:41, 51:48).  This would indicate the God uses the metaphor of the north (i.e., a hidden / dark place) to represent Judgment Day.  We find several places in the Bible where Judgment Day is referred to as a dark and gloomy day (e.g., Joel 2:2, Zeph 1:15).  We find that on Judgment Day the sun will be darkened and the moon turned into blood (Mat 24:29, Mk 13:24, Lk 21:25, Acts 2:19-21, Rev 6:12, Zech 14:6).

 

In summary, we find that the King of the North represents the leader who brings terror into the land of Jerusalem and Judah.  Similar to the King of Babylon, it is the work of Satan that is within the ‘King of the North’ to persecute true Christians.  From a historical perspective in Daniel 11, we find that the King of the North was of the Selucidaes, which included the area of Babylon, but from a spiritual perspective, the King of the North is none other than the little horn of Daniel 7 and Daniel 8, the man of sin of 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 and the beast of Revelation 13, who all were given authority from Satan to carry out his evil schemes.

 

King of the South

 

The King of the South that came is a historical reference to the Ptolemy I Sotor, who was one of the 4 generals of Alexander the Great of the Grecian Empire.  The Ptolemies (King of the South) were in control of the south land of Egypt from the 4th century B.C. to the 1st century B.C.  This included the territory of Judea (Jerusalem) until the 2nd century B.C. (i.e., 170 B.C.) when Antiochus IV Epiphanes of the Selucidae Empire (King of the North) captured the territory.

 

It is important to understand that ‘South’ and ‘Egypt’ in the Bible also have spiritual meanings.  We find the King of the South reference several times in Daniel 11 (e.g., Dan 11:5-6, Dan 11:9, Dan 11:11, Dan 11:14-15, Dan 11:25, Dan 11:29, Dan 11:40).  Of note, some of these passages point to the time period just before the Last Day (e.g., Dan 11:29, Dan 11:40).  Therefore, it is important to understand the spiritual meaning of the ‘south’ and ‘Egypt’.

 

Egypt – Spiritually Represents Jerusalem

 

Egypt was the focal point of the Ptolemy Empire.  The King of this empire was even called a Pharaoh.  This is the King of the South referenced in Dan 11:3-6. Egypt is also spiritual portrait of Jerusalem in bondage. A very interesting reference to Jerusalem as Egypt is found in the following passage:

  • And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. (Rev 11:7-8)

The context of Revelation 11 is the killing of the two witnesses who represent the witness of God’s people during the Great Tribulation. We find that the two witnesses’ bodies lie dead in the street (plaza) of the great city, where our Lord was crucified (i.e., Jerusalem). Thisgreat city where the Lord was crucified is Jerusalem. In Rev 11:8, Jerusalem is ‘spiritually’ (not earthly or fleshly) spiritually called Egypt.  Therefore, we find that Egypt is symbolic of Jerusalem. Jerusalem refers to the place where the temple was and where God’s people worshiped.  It is the location of glorious Mt. Zion. Jerusalem is symbolic of the location of God’s church.

 

The significance of Egypt symbolizing Jerusalem can also be seen in the following passage:

  • For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. (Gal 4:22-26)

In this passage, we find that Jerusalem represents the place of bondage to the law and sin.  (Gal 4:25). Most notably in the Bible, the place of affliction and bondage from where God’s people must be delivered from is Egypt:

  • Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour. (Exo 1:11-14)
  • And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;  (Gen 15:13)
  • And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:  (Deu 26:6)
  • And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;  (Exo 3:7)
  • And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them. (Exo 2:23-25)

Israel being freed from their bondage in Israel is a symbol for redemption (salvation):

  • I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt. (Act 7:34)
  • For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.  (Mic 6:4)
  • But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to do this thing.  (Deu 24:18)

 

Based on the above, it can be understood that Egypt (location of the Kingdom of the South) is a place on affliction and bondage, also known as earthly Jerusalem.  The nominal Christian church, similar to the Jews at the time of Christ are in bondage to the law and sin (Gal 4:22-26).

 

South – location of God’s people

The south often refers to the location of God’s people:

  • Where the promised land is (Gen 12:9, Gen 13:1, Gen 13:3, Gen 20:1, Gen 24:62, Num 13:17):
  • Where the candlestick was in the tabernacle (Exo 26:35, Exo 40:24) – the candlestick is a symbol for the church (Rev 1:16,20)
  • Where the Queen of Sheba (church) came to seek Solomon’s wisdom (type of Jesus Christ) and will rise in judgment at the Last Day – 1 Ki 10:1, 1 Ki 10:4, 1 Ki 10:10, 1 Ki 10:13, 2 Ch 9:1, 2 Chr 9:3, 2 Chr 9:9, 2 Chr 9:12, Mat 12:42, Lk 11:31
  • Judah southern border was at the River of Egypt – Josh 15:4
  • The south land, a place of promised blessing (Josh 11:16, Josh 15:19, Jud 1:15)
  • The road of safety in the south (1 Sam 27:10)
  • Salvation in the land of the south (Ps 126:4)
  • Cities / places of the south (Judah) – Jer 13:19, Jer 17:26, Jer 32:44, Jer 33:13
  • Vision of where Jerusalem is (Eze 40:2, Eze 48:33)
  • Little horn waxes great to the south, east and pleasant land (Dan 8:9)
  • The opponent of the King of the North (Dan 11:5-6, 11:9, 11:11, 11:14-15, 11:25, 11:29, 11:40)
  • Where God’s people come from (Oba 1:19-20)
  • Where Ethiopian Eunuch was baptized (Acts 8:26)
  • ‘King of the North’ relates to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (see Jer 1:15, Jer 25:8-9, Jer 25:26, Eze 26:7), who was the agent of judgment on Jerusalem and the land of Judah

 

The King of the South is symbolic for the earthly rule of God’s people.  Of course, Jesus Christ is the King of kings (1 Tim 6:15, Rev 19:16) and therefore, each Christian is subject to Jesus Christ.  But, it is also important to note that Christians are called kings and priests (Rev 1:5-6, Rev 5:10, 1 Pet 2:5-9).  In Rev 1:5, Jesus Christ is the prince of the kings of the earth. That is, from an earthly perspective, Christians are considered kings. But, from a spiritual perspective, Christians are subject to Christ. Also, it is important to understand that Christians are also considered the ‘body’ of Christ (1 Cor 12:27, Ro 12:5). In other words, on the earth, it is Christians that carryout the witness of Jesus Christ.  Christians also are ‘in Christ’ (Ro 12:5, Ro 8:1, 1 Cor 1:2). There are numerous passages in the Bible that attest to the fact that Christians ‘in Christ’. The King of the South (body of Christ) is a symbolic reference to the earthly rule of the body of Christ (on earth).  The King of the South is in a spiritual war with the Kingdom of Satan (Eph 6:10-20, 2 Cor 10:3-5), of which the King of the North (the antichrist) is the worldly leader.  This warfare continues into the Great Tribulation.

  • Come out of broken Grecian Kingdom
  • Historically
    • North was the Selucidae (Syria, later – Antiochus Epiphanes)
    • South were the Ptolomies (Egypt)
  • Kings of the North and South – Symbolic
    • 4th century B.C. to the Last Day
  • Jerusalem / Judea – controlled by South, then North
    • King of North – type of Antichrist in Dan 11:29-45
      • King of South – nominal Christian church

The King of the North’s End Time Actions (Dan 11:29-39)

 

Action #1 – Hatred of the Holy Covenant (Dan 11:29-30)

 

…his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.  At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter. For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.  (Dan 11:28-30)

 

In Dan 11:28 (prior to the ‘appointed time’, which refers to the end-times), the King of the North’s heart is against the Holy Covenant.  The Holy Covenant is the God’s eternal plan of salvation for His people (Heb 4:2, Heb 8, heb 10, etc.). This is an historical reference to the King of the North (presumably Antiochus Epiphanes), who was against God’s people.

  • Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah … I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.  (Jer 31:33 – also quoted in Heb 8:8-13)
  • … our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant  (Heb 13:20)
  • And He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week … (Dan 9:27)
  • The Hated Covenant:
    • By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaks.  (Heb 11:4)
    • And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel.  (Heb 12:24)
    • Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. (1Jn 3:12-13)
    • But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth …  (Gen 4:5)
  • Christ and His People hated:
    • If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (Joh 15:18-19)
    • Chosen – same Greek word as ‘elect’
    • And you shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved. (Mat 10:22)
    • Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. (Mat 24:9)

 

But, at the ‘appointed time’ (end time / Great Tribulation), the Satan-inspired King of the North will once again ‘return’ (which literally means to come back) towards the south.  The ‘south’ (Hebrew negeb, H5045), literally means parched.  We find that the ‘south’ was where Abraham journeyed to into the Promised Land (Gen 12:9).  It is also where Abraham went when he left Egypt (Gen 13:1-3. 20:1).  It is also where God’s people ask God to return them from their captivity, as the streams in the south (Ps 126:4). It was recognized that the land of Judah was in the south, where they were carried away captive from (Jer 13:19, Jer 1:26, Jer 17:26, Jer 32:44, Jer 33:13).  Although the south is recognized as a place of salvation, it also has whirlwinds (Isa 21:1) and affliction by wild beasts (Isa 30:6) which likely represent various troubles and persecutions of the Christian life.  Finally, we see that the Queen of the South (Sheba), who came to Solomon seeking wisdom was a beautiful portrait of those who are seeking salvation (Mat 12:42, Lk 11:31, 1 Ki 10:1-9).

 

In Dan 11:29, the Bible teaches that the King of the North comes ‘toward the south’.  As discussed above, the south often refers to the location of God’s people:

  • Where the promised land is (Gen 12:9, Gen 13:1, Gen 13:3, Gen 20:1, Gen 24:62, Num 13:17):
  • Where the candlestick was in the tabernacle (Exo 26:35, Exo 40:24) – the candlestick is a symbol for the church (Rev 1:16,20)
  • Where the Queen of Sheba (church) came to seek Solomon’s wisdom (type of Jesus Christ) and will rise in judgment at the Last Day – 1 Ki 10:1, 1 Ki 10:4, 1 Ki 10:10, 1 Ki 10:13, 2 Ch 9:1, 2 Chr 9:3, 2 Chr 9:9, 2 Chr 9:12, Mat 12:42, Lk 11:31
  • The south land, a place of promised blessing (Josh 11:16, Josh 15:19, Jud 1:15)
  • The road of safety in the south (1 Sam 27:10)
  • Salvation in the land of the south (Ps 126:4)
  • Cities / places of the south (Judah) – Jer 13:19, Jer 17:26, Jer 32:44, Jer 33:13
  • Vision of where Jerusalem is (Eze 40:2, Eze 48:33)
  • Little horn waxes great to the south, east and pleasant land (Dan 8:9)
  • The opponent of the King of the North (Dan 11:5-6, 11:9, 11:11, 11:14-15, 11:25, 11:29, 11:40)
  • Where God’s people come from (Oba 1:19-20)
  • Where Ethiopian Eunuch was baptized (Acts 8:26)

Therefore, we find that the end-time evil King of the North will have hatred towards God’s Holy Covenant and come to attack the location of God’s people (Jerusalem / land of Judah).

 

In Dan 11:29, the Bible teaches us that the ‘appointed time’ will not be ‘as the former or as the latter’.  The word ‘former’ literally means as the ‘first’ and the word ‘latter’ literally means the ‘latest’. In other words, at the ‘appointed time’ (the activities of Dan 11:29-45), there will be a time that was never as what has occurred before.  This points to the fact that Dan 11:29-45 represents the time of ‘Great Tribulation’:

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place … For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  (Mat 24:15,21)

This is validated since the Abomination of Desolation is explicitly featured in Dan 11:31.  Therefore, Mat 24:15-21 becomes a parallel passage with Dan 11:29-31.

 

Regarding the ships of Chittim in Dan 11:30, we find that this is likely a spiritual portrait of the initial objection of the nominal Christian churches and parachurhces concerning the plans to harm the Holy Covenant. However, this objection will be short-lived as the King of the North will form an alliance with those apostates who forsake the Holy covenant.

 

Chittim was a son of Javan, who was a son of Japheth (son of Noah) – Gen 10:1-4.  Japheth (and his progeny) represents Gentiles in general since they were not of Shem or Ham (Gen 10:4, 1 Chr 1:7).  Israelites were from Shem and the Canaanites were from Ham.  However, we find that there is no rest (salvation) in Chittim (Isa 23:1, 12).  It is a place that will also receive judgment (Num 24:24).  It is a place of merchant ships that is intimately connected to Tyre (Eze 27:6, Isa 23:1, 12).  It is where ships manufacturing took place (Eze 27:6).  Therefore, the ships of Chittim represent already apostate churches and parachurches (2 Thess 2:3) that initially resist the antichrist (King of the North).  Gog, chief prince of Magog also represents the antichrist. Magog was one of the sons of Japheth as well (Gen 10:2).

 

In the Bible, we also find that ships also represent the location of God’s people (church). In Acts 27, we find a voyage of Paul in a ship, which can be allegorically seen to be a journey in a ship.  Also, it is where people fish from (i.e., fishers of men Mat 4:19, Mk 1:17, Lk 5:2, John 21:3-6, Mat 14:13‑33, John 6:17‑21, Mk 8:10‑14, Mk 6:32‑54, Rev 8:9, Pro 31:4, etc).  It is the vehicle which brings sons from afar (Isa 60:9).  In the context of Isaiah 60, this refers to salvation.  A ship is also the place which protects a group of people from the sea and allows for a journey (Jonah 1:6, Ps 107:23, Isa 43:14‑16, etc.). They can also symbolize the Christian journey over the raging waves of the sea of doubt (Jude 13, Mat 14:24, James 1:6, etc.).   Therefore, the ships of Chittim relate to the initial objections of the church to the King of the North’s evil plan against the Holy Covenant (Gospel).  This will result in the King of the North having ‘indignation’ against the Holy Covenant. In the Hebrew, ‘indignation’ (Heb: zaam) literally means to have foam, or in other words, be enraged (abhorrent).

 

The King of the North’s plans will initially be frustrated, however, the King of the North comes up with another plan to attack the Holy Covenant.  He returns again and has ‘intelligence’ (literally understand) with those that forsake the Holy Covenant (Gospel).  In other words, he finds those who are already in rebellion to the truth of the Gospel and find an ally to proceed with harming the Holy Covenant.  The word ‘forsake’ in Dan 11:30 is an appropriate translation. It should be noted that this ‘understanding’ is similar to the little horn who ‘understands dark sentences’ in Dan 8:23. Also, there is similar information in 2 Thess 2:3 where the Bible teaches us:

  • Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (2Th 2:3-4)

 

This is a parallel passage with Dan 11 since we find in Dan 11:36 that the King of the North also exalts and magnifies himself against every god.  So, the ‘falling away’ of 2 Thess 2:3 can viewed as parallel to the King of the North’s alliance with those who ‘forsake’ the Holy Covenant.  Therefore, we can find a great warning for the time of the placement of the Abomination is that there will a time of falling away or apostasy that precedes the placement of the Abomination of Desolation in the Holy Place (the nominal Christian churches and parachurches).  The Greek word for ‘falling away’ is apostasia which literally means to ‘stand apart’.  It is also used for the word ‘divorce’ in the New Testament.  It is interesting to note that ‘divorce in the Old Testament is used as a portrait of God divorcing Israel / Judah due to their harlotry and abominations (Isa 50:1, Jer 3:1-8).   As we have previously studied, the church contains many people that claim the name of the Lord, but in actions are far from him (Mat 7:21-23).

 

Action #2 – Daily Taken Away / Abomination of Desolation (Dan 11:31)

 

And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.  (Dan 11:31)

 

Arms shall stand on his part and pollute the sanctuary of strength:

 

As we saw in Dan 11:30, the King of the North will make an alliance with them that forsake the Holy Covenant. In other words, to forsake the Holy Covenant, means that one would have been originally following the Holy Covenant (Gospel). This represents all those people in the churches and parachurches that have made a profession at some point and have become part of the visible church, but were never really Christian.  They do not follow the true Gospel (which is found in the Bible).  As we saw in Mat 7:21-23, there are many in the church that are not true Christians.  Also, broad is the way that leads to destruction and narrow is the way that leads to life, and there are few that find this narrow way (Mat 7:13-14).

 

It is in that sense that they pollute the sanctuary (i.e., holy place / house / temple) of strength.  The Hebrew word for ‘pollute’ (H2490) occurs about 140 times and literally means to ‘wear down’ or ‘dissolve’.  Interestingly, this word is used in many places in the Old Testament as ‘polluting’ the name of God (e.g., Is 48:11, Jer 34:16, Eze 20:9, Eze 20:22, Eze 20:39).  When there is division and non-unity in the gathering of God’s people due to the existence of people who have forsaken the Holy Covenant, we find that God’s name can be polluted by the resultant sin and confusion.  Also, we find several occurrences of the pollution of God’s Sabbaths (i.e., feasts, rest days that all symbolize salvation – see Eze 20:13-14, Eze 20:16, Eze 20:24).  This also would accord with the falling away from the Holy Covenant.  This would involve not respecting the truth of God’s elective salvation plan and that no work could be done for one’s salvation.  Finally, we find the following important parallel passage:

  • Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law. (Zep 3:4, see also Jer 23:32, Eze 22:28)

 

We find in this passage that it is those prophets who have spoken lies that pollute the sanctuary.  They have done violence to the law.  That is they are false teachers / false prophets.  The word of God is not upheld.  The Holy Covenant found in the Word of God is not respected or correctly taught and proclaimed.

 

The sanctuary of strength:

 

The Hebrew word for ‘strength’ (H4581) is often used in the Old Testament regarding a place that is fortified.  We find that the Lord is our ‘fortress’ and strength (Jer 16:19).  He is our ‘strong’ rock (Ps 31:2).  But, the ‘strong’ cities of Judah will also become a forsaken branch and made desolate (Isa 17:9).  It is due to the people forgetting the God of their salvation and has not been mindful of the rock of their ‘strength’ (Is 17:10).  In other words, due to not performing daily activities such as being in the Word of God, prayer and service, the ‘strong’ cities are not strong anymore.  They have become vulnerable to the attacks of the kingdom of Satan, led by the King of the North.

 

Take away the daily sacrifice:

 

Similar to what is found in the Little Horn of Daniel 8 and the ‘Prince to Come’ in Dan 9:24-27, the daily (sacrifices and offerings) were primary symbols that were types that pointed forward to Jesus Christ, His Body (true Christians) and many other symbols of the Christian life.  We saw that all the sacrifices and offerings were fulfilled in the offering of Jesus Christ for the sins of His people.  See also the Abomination of Desolation webpage.

 

In the New Testament, Christ’s body of believers also live out the sacrifice and offering of themselves.  We saw that the following verses are important in the ‘daily’ actions of true Christians:

  • Give us this day our daily bread – Mat 6:11, Lk 11:3 (note: Jesus is the bread of life, Mat 4:4, John 6:51, 58, etc.)
  • Exhort one another daily – Heb 3:13
  • Paul’s daily care for the churches – 2 Cor 11:28
  • Jesus taught daily – Lk 19:47
  • Jesus daily in the temple – Mk 14:49, Lk 22:53, Mat 26:55
  • Take up one’s cross daily – Lk 9:23
  • Christians die daily in service to Christ – 1 Cor 15:31
  • Paul disputing daily for Christ – Acts 19:9, 17;17
  • Bereans searched Scriptures daily to verify truth – Acts 17:11
  • Number of Christians increased daily – Acts 2:47, 3:2, 16:5
  • Daily ministration to the saints – Acts 6:1
  • Teaching and preaching daily – Acts 5:42
  • Disciples met daily, broke bread and of one accord daily – Acts 2:46
  • Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing – 1 Thess 5:16-17

 

It is reasonable to conclude that the ‘daily’ that was taken away was the Biblical expectation that Christians to die daily by following Christ through Bible study, worship, witness, discipleship and service.  With these sacrifices and offerings God is well pleased.

  • And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. (Eph 5:2)
  • I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:1-2)

 

It is also of interest in the above passage that Christians are to present their bodies as a living sacrifice.  In other words, our life should be considered as a sacrifice.  We consider ourselves crucified to Christ (Gal 2:16, 20) and we die daily (1 Cor 15:31).  We present ourselves as an offering:

  • Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. (Php 2:16-17)
  • By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Heb 13:15)
  • Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1Pe 2:5)
  • But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. (Php 4:18)

 

We find in the above passages that it is Jesus Christ (and His body of true Christians) that is the offering of sacrifice.  But, it is not yet clear as to what it means that the sacrifice and offering will ‘cease’.  The word ‘cease’ in the Old Testament (shabath – H7673) literally means ‘to rest’.  In Gen 2:2-3, God rested after His creation.  However, in 2 Chr 36:21 and Lev 26:34-35, we find that when the desolation of Judah / Jerusalem occurred, the land ‘kept sabbath’ (H7673).  This did not mean that God’s people were still not active in preaching God’s word (e.g., Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zephaniah, etc.).  What the cessation of sacrifices and oblations meant was that the organized system of religion was hampered and therefore, ceased.  In Lam 5:14-15, when the desolation occurred, we find this:

  • The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their musick. The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning. (Lam 5:14-15)

 

However, in Dan 11:31, these daily sacrifices are to be taken away by the King of the North and those who have forsaken the Holy Covenant.  In other words, there will be a great trial on the true believers since there core purpose in life will be ‘taken away’ due to persecution.  We find in other end time prophecies that true Christians will be substantially persecuted and ‘spiritually silenced by not being able to proclaim the true Gospel within the church congregation:

  • Afflicted, killed, and hated ‑ Mat 24:9, Mk 13:9, Lk 21:12
  • Slain for Word of God and testimony – Rev 6:9-11, 7:9-17, 11:7-10
  • Beast has war with saints – see 13:8 notes
  • Offended, betrayed, and hated ‑ Mat 24:10, Mk 13:12‑13, Lk 21:16‑19
  • Christians die daily – Mat 24:9, 2 Cor 1:9,4:10-12, 6:9,7:3, Ro 8:35-39, James 5:6, 1 John 3:15, 1 Cor 4:9, 15:31, Mat 5:21-22, Hab 1:2-4, James 2:9-11, Ps 94:1-7, 44:22, Rev 6:9, Mk 8:35
  • Christians Have Been Crucified w/ Christ – Gal 2:20, 5:24, 6:14, Ro 6:6
  • We are dead to sin and the law – Ro 6:6,11, Ro 8:10, 2 Tim 2:11, Ro 7:2-6, Gal 2:19, Col 2:10, 3:3 w/ 3:1-11, Ro 6:2-8, Eph 4:22
  • Killing by Words – Mat 5:21-22, Ro 3:13-15, Pr 11:9
  • Christians are living sacrifices – see Rev 6:9-11
  • Spiritual battle, not physical – see Rev 6:3-4

 

The abomination that makes desolate:

 

The abomination that makes desolate is the tool that is used to destroy the city and sanctuary (the visible church).  As used in the Bible, we find that abominations have altogether to do with worshiping and serving other gods and idols.  It is this abomination that overspreads the church and ultimately is what those unsaved persons in the church are trusting in.  Notably, in Dan 11:30-31, the Bible teaches that those who forsake the Holy Covenant (the Gospel) are the allies of the King of the North.  The ability to remove the daily sacrifice is instigated by an apostasy from the truth of God.  It is a forsaking of the Holy Covenant. It is losing focus on the fact that mankind is utterly powerless to save themselves and must rely completely on the word of Jesus Christ for salvation and sanctification.  Instead, they have turned the people to worshiping other modern gods and modern idols. Because of these abominations, there is desolation. Desolation is caused by being taken captivity (to sin), being scattered (divisions in the church) and being put to death spiritually by famine (lack of Word of God), evil beasts (false teachers) and sword (spiritual battle by those in the church).

 

Action #3 – Corruption by Flattery of Those who do Wickedness against the Covenant (Dan 11:32, 34)

 

And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries…but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. (Dan 11:32, 34)

 

Flatteries are an important part of the King of the North’s strategy.   First, he uses flattery to gain an alliance with those who forsake the covenant (i.e., those who commit apostasy away from the Gospel, 2 Thess 2:3).  The Hebrew word (H2515, see also H2513, H2512, H2506 and H2505) for flattery is challaqqah, which literally means ‘smooth’.  It is the word used in 1 Sam 7:40 to describe the five smooth stones David collected and by one of them, he killed Goliath.  In Ps 55:20-21, David says of those who persecute him:

  • He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. (Psa 55:20-21)

 

The words of his enemies were smooth and soft, yet war was in their hearts.  Similarly, the King of the North and his allies will have smooth and flattering talk to deceive and enlarge their alliance.  However, this word ‘flatter’ is used to describe the behavior of a harlot and how she seeks to entrap people into her whoredoms (Pr 5:3, 6:24, Pr 7:21, Ps 50:18).  We know that in the Bible that a harlot is a portrait of a church that has gone astray after other gods and idols (Eze 6:9, 43:9, Jer 3:1-9, 5:7, 2 Ki 9:22, 2 Chr 21:11-15, Ex 34:15-16, Deut 31:16, Judges 2:16-17, Micah 1:7, Pr 7:10, Ps 73:27, Ps 106:39, Lev 17:7, Is 1:21, etc.).  Similarly, those who have fallen away from the true Gospel are also easily ensnared into the tangled web of deception of the King of the North (Antichrist, man of sin, etc.).

 

Additionally, the King of the North uses flattery to corrupt those in his alliance.  The word ‘corrupt’ in the Old Testament simply means to soil.  This word appears 24 times and is often translated as pollute, defile or as a hypocrite.  In Jer 23:11, when speaking of the prophets and priests of Judah, we find that they are considered as defiled since their wickedness occurs in the God’s house.  This would correspond to the King of the North’s corrupting flattery since he uses flattery on those who have forsaken the covenant (apostates from the true Gospel in the church).   Additionally, Jer 3:1-2, says that the land (where God’s people dwell) is polluted due to the whoredoms of Judah (see also Isa 24:4-5, Jer 3:9, Micah 4:11, Ps 106:38).

 

In many places the word corrupt is translated as a hypocrite in the Old Testament (e.g., Pr 11:9, Isa 9:17, Is 33:13-14, Isa 10:6, Ps 35:16, etc.).  A hypocrite is one who has ‘low criticism’ of himself.  In other words, the King of the North makes hypocrites out of those whom he adds to his alliance.  He promises them peace under his leadership, yet they become hypocrites since they are rebellion to the Prince of Peace.  They are flattered to believe that they are the ones who are right and those who keep the holy covenant are wrong.  It is apostasy (2 Thess 2:3).

  • And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries…but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. (Dan 11:32, 34)
    • Flattery – Hebrew: challaqqah, literally, ‘smooth
  • He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. (Psa 55:20-21)
  • For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil (Pro 5:3, see also Pro 6:24, 7:21, Psa 50:18)
    • Babylon – spiritual fornication (worshiping other gods and idols) – Rev 17:1-4, etc.

 

Action #4 – Persecution of God’s People, but Christians will Spread Gospel (Dan 11:32-35)

 

…but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.  (Dan 11:32-35)

 

It is important to understand that even under the worst persecution and tribulation, the Gospel will continue to go forth.  In Mat 24:14, we find that the Gospel of the kingdom of God shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations and then the end will come.  God has a plan of salvation and the Gospel will reach every person who he intends to save prior to the end of the world.  Once the last person whom God intends on saving is saved, the end shall come.  Also, in 2 Pet 3:9, we find that God is longsuffering and not willing for any (of the elect) to perish, but that all (the elect) will come to repentance.

 

Dan 11:32 states that the people who know their God (i.e., true Christians) will be strong.  In 1 John 2:14, the Bible teaches that saved people are strong because of the abiding Word of God and that they overcome the wicked one.  In Heb 11:34, those who are of faith become strong out of weakness. When we are weak (i.e., understand that we are nothing without God’s power), then we are strong (2 Cor 12:10).  Finally, we are commanded to be strong by taking up the whole armor of God, which includes the sword of the word of God (Eph 6:10).  This strength includes ‘instructing many’.  As Christians are strong and the Gospel goes forth, disciples are made (John 8:30-31).  The great commission of Christians are to go and make disciples (Mat 28:19-20).

 

However, during the Great Tribulation, there will be great distress and persecution.  In Dan 11:33, the Bible teaches that the people of God will fall by sword, by flame, by captivity and by spoil and when they fall in these four manners, they will only receive very little help (Dan 11:34).  Although they may be in the midst of a very large church, they will find that they will get very little support from the lampstand (i.e., the church).  The King of the North and his allies will be in control of the church Babylon (Rev 17-18).  In fact:

  • For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Mat 24:24)

 

God’s people will suffer during the Great Tribulation.  In Dan 11:34, the Bible teaches that when God’s people fall, they will only receive a very little help.  But, many will cleave (literally, entwine themselves) with them by using flatteries (literally, smoothness).  Dan 11:34 is notable in that God’s true people are suffering during the Great Tribulation, but the nominal church and parachurches will feign their unity with God’s people.  They will help on a little, but not enough from the fall of God’s people.  They will say smooth flattering words (see flattery discussion above on Dan 11:32), but the words are empty.  They will desire the opportunity for fellowship, but only on the terms of the Harlot, Babylon. The word ‘cleave’ is literally, to entwine themselves together.  Babylon, the false churches and parachurches will pursue false teaching and false prophecies to try to mend fences with God’s people. But these false leaders are wolves in sheep’s clothing: Mat 7:15; Act 20:29-30; Rom 16:18; 2Co 11:13-15; Gal 2:4; 1Ti 4:1-2; 2Ti 3:1-7, 2Ti 4:3; Tit 1:11; 2Pe 2:1-3, 2Pe 2:18-19; 1Jn 2:18-19, 1Jn 4:1, 1Jn 4:5; 2Jn 1:7; Jud 1:4; Rev 2:20, Rev 13:11-14.  The Great Tribulation is marked by deception.

 

God’s people strong in persecution:

  • I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  (Php 4:13)
  • … I have written unto you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. (1Jn 2:14)
  • … My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness … when I am weak, then am I strong. (2Co 12:9-10)

God’s people witness in persecution:

  • … but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.  (Dan 11:32-33)
  • But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Mat 24:13-14)
  • The Lord is not slack concerning his promise … but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  (2Pe 3:9)
    • Us-ward, any, all – pertains to God’s chosen people (elect)

 

No help from the churches and parachurches:

  • … the people that do know their God …  shall fall … Now when they shall fall, they shall be helped with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall … (Dan 11:32-35)
  • God’s people helped with little help – minimal help (support) from Babylon
  • Cleave with flatteries – Babylon consoles God’s people with flattery (smoothness – deception)
  • Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (Mat 7:15)
  • For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ … Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness … (2Co 11:13-15)

 

God’s people are persecuted by sword, flame, captivity and spoil:

  • Sword: represents spiritual battle over the truth of the Word of God (e.g., Eph 6:10-20). The weapons of a Christians warfare are not carnal weapons, but spiritual (2 Cor 10:3-5).
  • Flame: Trial by fire – Christians are made clean and holy by the trials of persecution – see Psa 66:10, The believer’s faith will be tested by fire and it will result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pet 1:7). Christians will be refined by the furnace of affliction (Isa 48:10, Mal 3:1-18, Zech 13:9, etc.)
  • Captivity – Just as some of those taken captivity by Babylon were saved individuals (e.g., Ezekiel, Jeremiah, etc.). Also, Lk 21:24, states that Christians shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Being led away captive has the spiritual meaning of being taken to a place (e.g., church), where one is not free to do as they wish.  If the church is by and large controlled or heavily influenced by unsaved people, saved people will have been spiritually led away captive.
  • Spoil – To spoil is to one’ possessions as a result of being captured. We find that a Christian can be spoiled by being taken advantage of through philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men and after the rudiments of the world (Col 2:8).  When a church teaches man’s philosophies and other worldly matters instead of focusing entirely on the Word of God, true Christians are bring spoiled.  There ‘possessions’ of having the Word of God are being taken away from them when they are gathered together in the church.

 

Action #5 – The Pride of the King of the North (Dan 11:36-37)

 

And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.  (Dan 11:36-38)

 

When we study the Bible, we find that there are many titles, symbols and types of the end-time Antichrist (which is empowered by Satan). They include:

  • Dan 7 Little Horn
  • Dan 8 Little Horn
  • Dan 9 – Prince that will come
  • Dan 11 – King of the North
  • 2 Thess 2 – Man of Sin (lawless one)
  • 1 John 2:18 – Antichrist
  • Rev 13 0 Leopard Beast

 

We find the Dan 11:36-37 actions of the King of the North essentially repeated in the above passages.  The king of the North will have the following characteristics:

  • Do according to his will – selfish / authoritative
  • Exalt himself – pride / narcissism
  • Magnify himself over every god – He and his ‘politics’ are more important than any religion, god or devotion (similar to Satan in Is 14:3-14)
  • Speak marvelous things against the God of gods – denies / discounts Bible truth
  • Prosper – will appear successful, especially with regard to the persecution of the saints

 

It is very interesting that Dan 11:37 (see also Dan 11:38) says that he will not regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women.  First, the ‘God of his fathers’ refers to the fact that there is a Christian background of the King of the North.  Satan himself actually knows that God exists very well.  Similarly, the King of the North knows, but will not regard God.

 

The desire (literally, delight) of women is for their husband (see Gen 3:16). Spiritually, the women represents the church and the husband represents Christ (Eph 5:22-33).  Normally, a church will desire Jesus Christ (i.e., the Bread of Life, Word of God).  However, when the King of the North comes on the scene, he will not regard the desire of women (i.e., Jesus Christ and His threefold ministry of being a Prophet, Priest and King).  Rather the King of the North is the Antichrist (1 John 2:18).

 

Action #6 – Honoring and Worshiping Satan’s Kingdom (Dan 11:38-39)

 

But in his estate shall he honor the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. Thus shall he do in the most strongholds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.  (Dan 11:38-39)

 

In his estate, shall he honor the god of forces:

 

The word ‘estate’ in the Hebrew means a stand or a base.  For example the laver of cleansing in the Old Testament ceremonial laws had a base to the laver (Exo 30:18, 28, 31:9, 16, Ex 38:8, Ex 39:39, Lev 8:11).  Applying this word to the King of the North, we find that in his platform (or support), he honors (glorifies) the god of forces.

 

The Hebrew word for ‘forces’ (H4581) literally means strength and is also translated as a stronghold or a fortress.  Often this word, when translated as strength refers to the Lord God (Joel 3:16, Jer 16:19, Ps 31:4, 39, 43:2, Pr 10:29, Is 17:10, 2 Sam 22;33, Neh 8:10, Ps 27:1, Ps 28:8).  Also, in Nah 1:7, we find that the Lord is referred to as a stronghold.  However, in a negative connotation and relevant to Dan 11:38, we find that in Dan 11:7, Dan 11:10 and Dan 11:19, the word ‘forces’ refers to a ‘fortress’ (stronghold).   The full negative connotation of the god of forces that the King of the North honors stronghold of Satan himself. We know that Satan is the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4).  We also find in 2 Cor 10:4 that the Christians warfare is not carnal, but is mighty in God to the pulling down of ‘strongholds’ which, as 2 Cor 10:5 points out, are the false teachings of Satan’s ministers that are against the knowledge of the true God.

 

In the context of Daniel, we find that the little horn of Daniel 8 (the antichrist) has a ‘host’ (literally an army) that supports him in his spiritual battle:

  • And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered. (Dan 8:10-12)
  • But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. (2Co 11:3-4)
  • For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2Co 11:13-15)

 

Honor with gold, silver and with precious stones and pleasant things:

 

The King of the North will honor the god of forces (Satan) with four objects: gold, silver, precious stones and pleasant things.  All four of these objects spiritually refer to God’s people.  Gold and silver are often referred to a type of true Christians as they are built into the House of God (1 Cor 3:12, 2 Tim 2:20, Rev 21:19).  Similarly, precious stones likely refer to true believing Christians (Rev 18:4 with Rev 18:12, 16 and 1 Cor 3:12, James 5:7, 1 Pet 1:7, 2 Pet 1:4, 2 Tim 2:20).  Finally, the pleasant things are based on the Hebrew word (H2530) that is translated delight or beloved.  Notably, Daniel is referred to in this way in Dan 9:23, 10:11, 10:19.  Also, similar objects of gold, silver and precious things of Egypt are discussed as being in the control of the King of the North in Dan 11:43.

 

Satan’s desire is to pervert the Gospel of Christ and cause genuine believers to follow Satan.  Mat 24:23-24 notes this:

  • Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Mat 24:23-24)

 

Satan, as a roaring lion goes about seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet 5:8).  Christians are in a grand battle against the darkness and battle against the wiles of the devil resulting in the need to put on the whole armor of God (Eph 6:10-18, see also 2 Cor 10:3-5).  In the Great Tribulation, the forces of evil are against true Christians as we find in Dan 8, Dan 11, 2 Thess, Rev 13 and many other passages.  By deceiving the very elect, the King of the North honors Satan and carries out his evil plans against us.  We find in Rev 13:7 that the Leopard Beast (a.k.a., King of the North, antichrist) makes war with the saints to overcome them (see also Dan 7:21, Rev 13:7, Rev 11:18, etc.).

 

Worship of the Dragon (Satan):

  • And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard … and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority … And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast … (Rev 13:2-4)
  • But in his estate shall he honor the god of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor …  (Dan 11:38)

 

‘Most’ strongholds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory:

 

The word ‘most’ literally means strong.  In other words, even the strongest strongholds will not be immune to the vicious attacks of the King of the North.  As we saw above, the ‘daily’ was removed, which was a symbol for all the daily things a Christian does (i.e., Bible study, worship, prayer, service, etc.) come under attack.  The strongholds of the Christian will be under attack.  Normally, the Christian church would be a haven for Christians, but in the Great Tribulation, it will be the battleground.

 

The strange god as we have seen in Dan 11:37-38 is none other than Satan himself, the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4).  Satan is acknowledged.  The word ‘acknowledge’ in the Hebrew literally means to scrutinize or discern.  We find in Rev 2:24, the church at Thyatira had those there who knew the depths of Satan.  We find in 1 Tim 4:1 that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith and give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils (1 Tim 4:1).  In Rev 17-18, we find Babylon, which is a type of the end time Christian church.  We note in Rev 18:2 that she is the habitation of devils, of every foul spirit and cage for every unclean and hateful bird.  We see a threefold description in Rev 18:2 of Satan’s ministers that are active in the church.  We find in 2 Cor 11:3-4, 13-15 that Satan and his ministers transform themselves into angels (messengers) of light.  We find the strange god (Satan) being glorified through his ministers that do battle within the churches.  The end time is a time of great deception and an overflowing of false teaching, which serves to glorify Satan.

  • Thus shall he do in the most strongholds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.  (Dan 11:39)
  • Satan rules the kingdoms of this world (his stronghold)
    • … the devil took him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if you wilt fall down and worship me. (Mat 4:8-9)
  • And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard … and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority … And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? (Rev 13:2-4)

 

He shall cause them to rule over many and shall divide the land for gain:

 

In the Great Tribulation, Satan has been loosed from his prison (Rev 20:3) and resumes his deceptive motives.  He is accompanied by the Beast and the False Prophet to form the Satanic Trinity (Rev 16:13, 19:20, etc.).   The Beast (a.k.a., King of the North) and the False Prophet gather together as rules for the final Battle against the Lamb and His armies (Rev 19:19).  Therefore, at the end time the King of the North will be the agent of Satan, which is the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4) for the final Battle of Armageddon (Rev 16:16).

 

Prior to the final battle, the king of the North shall ‘divide’ the land for gain.  The Hebrew word ‘divide’ (H2505) is the literal word ‘smooth’ that is often translated as ‘divide’ or ‘flatter’.  As we saw in Dan 11:32, the word was used in relation to those who the king of the North flattered to gain an alliance (i.e., those who forsook the holy covenant, which is the Gospel).  We see that the land is ‘divided’ or ‘flattered’ for material gain.  Spiritually speaking, we find that deceit brings division so that those who follow the truth will be divided from those who deceive (Ro 16:17, 1 Cor 1:10, 1 Cor 3:3, 1 Cor 11:18).  We also know that much false teaching has its roots in ‘gain’ or making profit from religion (Phil 3:17-19, 1 Tim 6:3-5, Balaam (Num 22-25 with 2 Pet 2;15, Jude 11, Rev 2;14), 2 Cor 2:17, Ro 16:17-18, Mat 23:14, Titus 1:10-16, 2 Chr 24:5-7, 1 Chr 6:28, etc.).

Recapitulation of the End Time Actions of the King of the North (Dan 11:40-45)

 

The King of the North’s Response to the King of the South’s Push (Dan 10:40)

 

  • And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.  (Dan 11:40)

 

At the time of the end

 

This time is a parallel to what is found in Dan 11:29. Dan 11:29 refers to the ‘appointed time’ when the King of the North comes back to the south. We also can discern from Dan 11:27 that the ‘appointed time’ is actually the ‘end’ (which includes the Great Tribulation and Last Day based on Dan 11:27-29).  Therefore, Dan 11:40 (the time of the end – Great Tribulation and Last Day) begins a direct parallel to the passage concerning the end times in Dan 11:29-39. However, the passage of Dan 11:40-45 provides additional details concerning the Great Tribulation.  This period of time is the Great Tribulation because the Last Day (Second Coming of Jesus Christ, Resurrection of the Dead) occurs just after this time period:

  • And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (Dan 12:1-3)

 

King of the South shall push at him (i.e., King of the North)

 

As seen above in Dan 11:29, the Bible teaches that the King of the North comes ‘toward the south’.  As discussed above, the south often refers to the location of God’s people. But, in Dan 11:40, we find that the King of the South will ‘push’ at the King of the North.  As discussed above, the King of the South represents God’s earthly people (the earthly body of Christ, the church) who reign as kings (Rev 1:5-7, Rev 5:10).  The Hebrew word for ‘push’ is nagach (Heb: 5055).  It literally means to ‘butt’ another with the ‘horn’ as a wild beast would do (e.g., Exo 21:28,31). In Dan 8, this same word is used in the context of the ram (symbol for Median/Persian kingdom) of Dan 8:4 pushing other kingdoms.  Therefore, this word can be used symbolically for war (spiritual battle).  The King of the South is in a spiritual war with the Kingdom of Satan (Eph 6:10-20, 2 Cor 10:3-5), of which the King of the North (the antichrist) is the worldly leader.  This warfare continues throughout the Great Tribulation.  This ‘push’ at the King of the North is a parallel passage to Dan 11:29, where the ships of Chittim come against the King of the North.  But, similar to Dan 11:30, the King of the North will return in force.

 

Come against Him as a Whirlwind

 

The King of the North comes against the body of Christ as a whirlwind (H8175, Heb: saar – 8 occurrences, literally a storm).  In Job 27:21 (see also Ps 58:9), the same word is used as a storm that hurls one out of his place.  In other words, the King of the North, by coming as a whirlwind, is to disrupt and scatter the body of Christ.  The scattering of the church is tied to the abomination of desolation of the holy place (see discussion above on Dan 11:31).

 

With chariots and with Horsemen and many ships

 

The King of the North’s tools of scattering (desolating) God’s people is with chariots, horsemen and many ships.  The chariots and horses refer to spiritual battle involving the sword:

  • Chariots and Horses are used for battle – Pr 21:31, Ps 20:7, Ps 76:6, Ps 147:10, Zech 9:10, Zech 10:3-5, Zech 12:4, Zech 14:15-20, Rev 9:7-9, Rev 19:11, Eze 26:7-9, Jer 50:42, Is 31:, Deut 20:1, 1 Sam 8:11, 1 Sam 13:5, 1 Ki 1:5, 2 Sam 10:18
  • Weapons are not of the flesh, but spiritual (not a political battle) – Eph 6:11-12, Phil 3:20, Mat 24:7, Is 42:6-7, Eph 2:6, 1 Pet 2:5-11,20ff, Mat 16:15-19, Lk 2:14, Hos 1:7, 2 Tim 2:4, 2 Cor 10:3f, Eph 2:19, Mk 8:31-33, 1 Pet 1:1, Rev 1:6, Heb 13:14, Col 1:13, John 18:36-37, Col 3:1-4, Lk 12:14, Mat 10:34, 2 Tim 2:16, Mk 12:17, Ps 73:25, Zech 9:9, Lk 22:36, Ro 12:1-2, Lk 12:13ff, Mat 5:38f, 1 Cor 6:1-8, Hos 8:9, Hos 7:11
  • Sword of the wicked
    • Ps 17:13, Eze 30:24-25, Ps 55:3 with Ps 55:21, Ps 28:3, Ps 57:4, Ps 64:3, Pr 5:3-4, Pr 12:18
    • Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me … The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. (Psa 55:3,21)
  • Word of God is a Great Sword – Heb 4:12, Is 49:2, Ps 45:3, Ps 149:6, Pr 5:4, Is 11:4, Acts 2:37, Acts 5:33, Eph 6:17, Rev 1:16, Rev 2:16, Rev 6:4, Rev 19:15, Rev 19:2
  • Many Ships
    • As discussed above in Dan 11:30, ships represent the location of God’s people (church). In Acts 27, we find a voyage of Paul in a ship, which can be allegorically seen to be a journey in a ship. Also, it is where people fish from (i.e., fishers of men Mat 4:19, Mk 1:17, Lk 5:2, John 21:3-6, Mat 14:13‑33, John 6:17‑21, Mk 8:10‑14, Mk 6:32‑54, Rev 8:9, Pro 31:4, etc).  It is the vehicle which brings sons from afar (Isa 60:9).  In the context of Isaiah 60, this refers to salvation.  A ship is also the place which protects a group of people from the sea and allows for a journey (Jonah 1:6, Ps 107:23, Isa 43:14‑16, etc.). They can also symbolize the Christian journey over the raging waves of the sea of doubt (Jude 13, Mat 14:24, James 1:6, etc.).

Based on the above, the tools of the King of the North that are used for spiritual warfare include spiritual battle of deception including perversion of the Word of God.  The ships point to the fact that during the Great Tribulation, the antichrist (kingdom of Satan) will have control over the false churches and parachurches (Babylon).

 

Enter into Countries (Lands), Overflow and Pass over

 

The King of the North will enter into countries, overflow and pass over.  The word ‘countries’ is the word that literally, means ‘lands’ (H776). This indicates that the King of the North’s extent is beyond a localized area.  This attack is on the King of the South which points to an attack on the ‘promised, glorious land’ of where God’s people are. The geographical extent is to the ends of the world since that is the extent of the Gospel outreach (Mat 28:18-20, Acts 1:8).  This corresponds with other ‘antichrist’ passages that indicate that the extent of the antichrist’s reach includes the entire world (see Rev 13:7-8, Rev 13:14, 2 Th 2:9-12).

 

The Hebrew word for ‘overflow’ is the word shataph (H7857), which literally leans to gush or inundate.  This word is used in Isa 28 as referring to God’s judgment (Isa 28:2, Isa 28:15, Isa 28:17, Isa 28:18).  A cognate for this word in the Hebrew is H7858 is used for judgment in prophetic language in Dan 9:26, Dan 11:22 and Nah 1:8. The nuance of the word ‘overflow’ points to the fact that the King of the North’s actions will cause and overflowing flood, which is not able to be resisted.  That is confirmed in the word translated as ‘pass over’ (H5674) is translated hundreds of times as such and conveys the meaning of traveling or movement.  The actions of the King of the North will be irresistible and extensive throughout the world:

  • And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Rev 13:7-8)
  • And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.  (Rev 13:14)
  • Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2Th 2:9-12)

 

King of the North – those Conquered and the Allies (Dan 11:41-43)

 

He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.  (Dan 11:41)

He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.  (Dan 11:42)

But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.  (Dan 11:43)

 

Enter glorious land, many countries (lands) overthrown

 

The ‘glorious land’ represents the location of God’s people during the Great Tribulation (e.g., churches). The word ‘glorious’ is the same word used in Dan 8:9.  In Dan 8:9, the word is translated as ‘pleasant’ and refers to the direction of the little horn’s (antichrist’s) attack.   The Hebrew wordis  tsebiy (H6643), which literally means to grow in splendor.  This word is often is used for a deer (or gazelle), which was a clean animal (Deut 12:15, 22, Deut 14:5, 15:22) and noted to be very fast (1 Chr 12:8, Isa 13:14, Pro 6:5) and could escape danger.  This word is used to represent something that is glorious (e.g., Isa 13:19, 23:9, 24:16).  But, when it refers to land, it is used to symbolize the land of God’s people (e.g., Eze 20:5-6, Isa 28:1, 2 Sam 1:19, Jer 3:19, Isa 4:2, Eze 7:20, Dan 11:16, 41, 45).  This word is used with regards to the King of the North in Dan 11:16, Dab 11:41 and Dan 11:45) and represents the location of God’s people.

 

As discussed above in Dan 11:40, the many lands where God’s people are located will be overthrown (H3782, Heb: kashal), which has 62 occurrences and literally means to totter, waver or stumble.  For example, in Mal 2:8, the Bible teaches that the corrupt priests of Israel caused the people to ‘stumble’ (not literally, but to stumble over God’s word).  The following verses also indicate such a spiritual meaning:

  • The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.  (Pro 4:19)
  • For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.  (Isa 3:8)
  • But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.  (Isa 28:13)
  • And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.  (Isa 59:14)

Additionally, this Hebrew word is used in several times n Dan 11 in addition to Dan 11:41:

  • And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.  (Dan 11:14)
  • Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.  (Dan 11:19)
  • Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.  (Dan 11:34)
  • And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.  (Dan 11:35)

 

Based on the above, the overthrow of those in the glorious land and many lands should be seen as a parallel passage to Dan 11:34-35, which as was seen above is a reference to the persecution and deception of God’s people during the Great Tribulation.

 

Edom, Moab and the chief of the children of Ammon Escape

 

Certain groups of people will escape from the hand of the King of the North.  The word ‘escape’ (H4422, malat) literally means smoothness.  It occurs 95 times and is translated in the Old Testament as escape, deliver or save.  Notably, the escape is from the ‘hand’ (Heb: yad, 1612 occurrences) of the King of the North. In the Bible the hand refers to the ‘will’ or ‘control’ of a person (see Judges 11:32, Judges 13:1, Judges 15:12‑13, Judges 16:23‑24, 1 Chr 14:10, 1 Ki 15:18, 2 Sam 8:1, Ps 37:33, Ps 71:4, Ps 106:41-42, etc).

 

Edom, Moab and the chief of the children of Ammon escape the control of the King of the North because his object is the glorious land of God’s people. But, the trio of Edom, Moab and Ammon represent those who are enemies of God’s people.

 

Esau (Edom) had a never-ending hatred of Israel / God’s people (Eze 35:5, Psa 137:7, Oba 10-14, Gen 27:41, Eze 25:12).  Esau was the brother of Jacob (Israel).  Esau was loved by Isaac (Gen 25:27-28) and was therefore, a member of the household Isaac.  However, Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of red pottage (Gen 25) and lost his blessing due to the actions of Rebekkah, his mother, who loved Jacob (Gen 27).  Rebekkah had loved Jacob presumably due to the prophecy of the Lord to her when she was pregnant that the older (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob) – see Gen 25:22-23.  Jacob ultimately points to the sovereign election of God people in Christ since the Bible teaches that Jacob was loved and Esau hated by the Lord (Mat 1:2-5, Rom 9:10-16).  Therefore, in prophecy Esau (Edom) points to those who are sons of Abraham, but are not the elect.  Esau earnestly desired salvation through his works, but did not receive it:

  • Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. (Heb 12:16-17)

By compiling these truths concerning Esau, it can be asserted that Esau is a representation of those who want the blessing of salvation, but are not the chosen people.  Esau earnestly desire the blessing of the Lord from Isaac (Gen 27:34-38).  Esau (Edom) represents those who are in the churches and parachurhces (Babylon) who are not God’s people.  Many are called, but few chosen (Mat 7:21-23, Mat 22:14, etc.).  Esau’s name being changed to Edom (literally, red) suggests that Edom is doomed to God’s judgment (Jer 49:7-22, Eze 25:12-14, Oba 1-21) since red is symbolic for the shedding of blood (Isa 63:2-3, Psa 75:8) and Satan’s kingdom (Rev 12:3, Rev 12:12, Nah 2:3).

 

Concerning Moab and Ammon, these nations are those who are:

  • Closely related to those of Abraham (incestuous children of Lot, Abraham’s nephew – Gen 11:27, Gen 11:31)
  • Moab – those who tempt God’s people with fornication – Num 25:1-13
  • Moab – those who find false prophets (Balaam) to curse Israel – Num 22-24
  • Prideful – Isa 16:6, Jer 48:25, Zeph 2:8
  • Against (hate) God’s people – Eze 25:1-7, Eze 35:5, 1 Sam 14:47, 1 Sam 12:9, Amos 1:13-14,
  • Worship other gods instead of the Yahweh, God of the Bible – Jud 10:6, 1 Ki 11:1, 1 Ki 11:5, 1 Ki 11:7, 1 Ki 7:33, Ezr 9:1
  • Receive judgment from God – Isa 15-16, Jer 49, Jer 49:1-6, Eze 25, etc., etc.

 

Moab and Ammon represent those proud people who renounce the true God of the Bible and worship other gods.  These people actually do like those who call themselves Christians. They actively tempt God’s people to worship other gods and idols.

 

Edom, Moab and Ammon escape the control of the King of the North (antichrist) since they are already joined into the kingdom of Satan.  They all will receive the wrath of God on Judgment Day.

 

Power over gold, silver and precious things of Egypt

 

But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver and of the precious things of Egypt … (Dan 11:43)

 

Dan 11:43 is a parallel passage to Dan 11:38:

  • But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.  (Dan 11:38)

 

The word ‘power’ (H4910, mashal) literally means to ‘rule’.  Therefore, in Dan 11:43, the Bible teaches that the King of the North shall ‘rule’ over the treasures of gold, silver and precious things.  Typically the Hebrew word, mashal, involves rulership over people, which is what we will see the gold, sivler and precious things represent.  The word ‘treasure’ (H4362, mikman) literally, refers to ‘hidden’. In the New Testament, we find that that Christians’ lives are ‘hid’ in Christ (Col 3:3) and they are those that eat of the hidden manna (Rev 2:17).

 

The three same objects (gold, silver and precious things) are referred to in Dan 11:43.  In Dan 11:38, as we saw above, the King of the North will honor the god of forces (Satan) with four objects: gold, silver, precious stones and pleasant (translated as precious in Dan 11:43) things.  These objects in Dan 11:38 and Dan 11:43 spiritually refer to God’s people.  Gold and silver are often referred to a type of true Christians as they are built into the House of God (1 Cor 3:12, 2 Tim 2:20, Rev 21:19).  Similarly, precious stones in Dan 11:38 likely refer to true believing Christians (Rev 18:4 with Rev 18:12, 16 and 1 Cor 3:12, James 5:7, 1 Pet 1:7, 2 Pet 1:4, 2 Tim 2:20).  Finally, the pleasant things in Dan 11:38 (translated ‘precious things’ in Dan 11:43) are based on the Hebrew word (H2530) that is translated delight or beloved.  Notably, Daniel is referred to in this way in Dan 9:23, 10:11, 10:19.

 

Finally, it is also important to understand the spiritual meaning of ‘Egypt’ in prophecy.  As we saw above, Egypt is used spiritually to describe Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a symbol for the location of God’s people (who are mixed together with nominal, unsaved people).  God’s people (as gold, silver and precious things) are under the power (subjection) of the King of the North.  This persecution of God’s people is the nature of the Great Tribulation.

 

Libyans and Ethiopians at his steps

 

… and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.  (Dan 11:43)

 

The phrase ‘at his steps’ (H4703, Heb: mits ad) only occurs 3 times in the Bible (Dan 11:43, Psa 37:23, Pro 20:24).

  • Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?  (Pro 20:24)
  • The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.  (Psa 37:23)

It is evident from these other occurrences of the word translated in Hebrew as ‘at his steps’ points to the direction or the path one follows.  In other words, the Libyans and the Ethiopians were in in support of the King of the North (antichrist).

 

In the Bible, Libya and Ethiopia are featured elsewhere as associated with the antichrist.  In Eze 38-39, the Bible teaches that Gog (symbol for the antichrist) will come against God’s people with a large army.  This large army includes Ethiopia and Libya:

  • And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet (Eze 38:4-5)

Elsewhere in the Bible, Ethiopia and Libya are featured with Egypt as being a source of a large army aligned with Egypt (King of the South). For example, when, we find the following verses (‘Lubims’ is the same Hebrew word translated as Libya in Dan 11:43):

  • With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.  (2Ch 12:3)
    • Context: King Rehoboam of Judah was judged by God
  • Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.  (2Ch 16:8)
    • Good King Asa of Judah defeated these armies
  • Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim were thy helpers.  (Nah 3:9)
    • Helpers of Nineveh (Assyrian)

 

The End of the King of the North from the East and West (Dan 11:44-45)

 

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 make away many.  (Dan 11:44)

And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.  (Dan 11:45)

 

The above two verses point to the final battle of good and evil at the Last Day.  This last day is called the battle of Armageddon, Judgment Day and many other similar descriptions. This Last Day is prompted by the King of the North receiving tidings (news) from the east and the north.  This results in great fury and his destroy to destroy the source of this good news. Dan 11:45 notes that at this time, his location is in the glorious holy mountain, which is symbolic language for his control in the churches and parachurches (2 Thess 2:3-4).  But, he comes to his final end and receives no help (i.e., no salvation).  In the following verses in Dan 12:1-3, abundant evidence exists that this is indeed the Last Day, which will makr the end of the King of the North. Below are additional details concerning these two verses.

 

Tidings from the east and the north trouble him

 

When the King of the North gets tidings (i.e., news, reports) out of the east and the north, he will be troubled.  The Hebrew word for tidings (shemuah, H8052, 27 occurrences) literally means news or to get a report.  In Isa 53:1-5, we find the same word used in Isa 53:1 referring to the report of the coming of Jesus Christ. This same word is used in several other places I the Old Testament pre-figuring the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Pr 15:30, Isa 28:9, Pro 25:25).  The word ‘Gospel’ in the New Testament (euaggelion) literally means ‘good news’.  But, the Gospel also includes Judgment Day:

  • In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.  (Rom 2:16)

This news of impending doom of Judgment Day troubles the King of the North.  This word trouble (H926, bahal) occurs 30 times in the Old Testament. The word literally means to tremble inwardly.  Great fear is the result of the impending judgment day (Rev 6:15-17, Isa 2:10-21).

 

In the Bible, North is symbolic of where judgment arises from, while the East is symbolic for the return of Jesus Christ on Judgment Day.

 

North – symbol for judgment

  • Evil judgment from the north – Jer 4:6, Jer 14:31, Isa 41:25, Jer 1:13-15, Jer 46:20, Jer 6:1, Jer 10:22, Jer 31:8, Jer 46:20, Jer 50:9, Jer 50:41; Eze 1:4, Amos 8:11-12, Zech 2:6, etc.
  • Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction. (Jer 4:6)
  • I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.  (Isa 41:25)

 

East – where Christ comes from for Judgment (and salvation on the Last Day

  • Christ as rising of the sun (east) ‑  Mal 4:2, 2 Pet 1:19, Rev 1:16, Rev 2:28, Rev 10:1, Rev 22:16, Mat 2:2, Mat 4:16, Num 24:17, Eph 5:14, Lk 1:78, Is 9:1‑2, Is 30:26, Is 59:8,  2 Sam 23:1‑4, Rev 7:2‑3, Is 60:1‑2, Num 24:17, Mal 4:2 , Luke 1:78, Ps 50:1-2, Is 41:2
  • Symbolizes Believers with Christ coming to battle on the Day of Judgment – Jude 14, Rev 19:14 w/ Rev 19:8, Rev 3:4, Lk 11:31-32, Mat 12:41-42, 1 Cor 6:2, Dan 7:18, Dan 7:22, Dan 7:27, Mat 19:28, Eph 1:20-21, Eph 2:6, Isa 13:1-4
  • Mount of Olives
  • And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east,  and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst  thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.  (Zec 14:4)
  • Mat 24:27 – lightning comes from east and shines to the west – Christ’s coming
  • The wind which brings judgment – Gen 41:6, Gen 41:23, Gen 41:27, Ex 10:13, Ex 14:21, Job 15:2, Job 27:21, Job 38:24, Ps 48:7, Ps 78:26, Is 27:8, Jer 18:17, Eze 17:10, Eze 19:12, Eze 27:26, Hos 12:1, Hos 13:15, Jonah 4:8, Hab 1:9

 

Go forth with great fury, utterly to make away many

 

The Bible teaches that the King of the North ‘goes forth’ with great fury.  This is a parallel passage to the gathering for the Battle of Armageddon:

  • For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty … And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.  (Rev 16:14,16)
  • Final Battle –Judgment Day
    • Rev 16:12-14, 1 Ki 22:21-23, Zech 14:2-3, Zech 14:12-14, Ps 55:18, Eze 13:5, Pr 21:31, Is 13:4, Joel 2:1-11, Rev 20:8, Rev 16:14, Rev 19:11-21, Zech 10:3-5, Zech 12:2-11, Is 34:1-8, Rev 17:12-14, Eze 38-Eze 39, Zeph 3:8, Zeph 2:4-15, Dan 11:45-21:1, Dan 8:25, Dan 7:26-27, Dan 2:22-36, Dan 2:44, Micah 5:9-15, Is 31:7-9, Is 2:1-5, Joel 3:1-2, Joel 3:9-12, etc.
  • Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle … Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.  And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east … And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains … ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee … And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.  (Zec 14:1-5,9)
  • Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.  (Mat 13:30)
  • Therefore wait ye upon me, says the LORD … for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.  (Zep 3:8)
  • And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. (Rev 20:7-8)
  • And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.  And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.  (Rev 19:19-21)

 

It is notable that the King of the North goes forth in ‘great fury’.  The word for ‘fury’ is chemah (H2534) and is used in the following passages:

  • And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?  (Isa 51:13)
  • And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.  (Mic 5:15)
  • Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.  (Nah 1:6)
  • And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face.  (Eze 38:18)

 

The phrase ‘make away’ is the Hebrew word, charam (H2763, see also H2764). This word literally means ‘to seclude’ and is often translated as destroy.

  • And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.  (Zec 14:11)

A parallel New Testament passage is this:

  • The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  (Joh 10:10)

 

Plant tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain

 

The King of the North’s focus is that plant (Heb: nata) his tabernacles in the glorious holy mountain.  The image of planting accords with planting vines or trees where they can grow and produce fruit.  This is an imitation of the work of God in planting His people:

  • How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.  (Psa 44:2)
  • Plant vineyards – Amos 5:11, Deut 6:11
  • For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up. (Jer 24:6)
  • See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. (Jer 1:10)
  • Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it. (Psa 80:8)
  • And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself. (Psa 80:15)

 

However, we are assured that every plant which God has not planted will ultimately be plucked up and destroyed:

  • But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. (Mat 15:13)
  • See also the Parable of the wheat and Tares (Mat 13:24-30,36-43), for example
  • Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble. (Isa 40:24)

 

In the Bible, a ‘tabernacle’ (literally ‘tent’, Hebrew: ohel) usually refers to the place of God’s dwelling:

  • Tabernacle of God With men and He will dwell with them – Lev 26:11-12, 1 Ki 8:27, 2 Chr 6:18, Is 12:6, Ez 37:27, 43:7, John 1:14, 14:23, 2 Cor 6:16
  • Spread His tabernacle over them – Lev 26:11, Eze 37:27, John 14:1-3, 1:14, Rev 2:3
  • God will dwell with His people – Rev 21:3-4, Rev 22:3, Exo 29:45, 1Ki 6:1, 1Ch 23:25, Psa 68:16-18, Isa 4:5-6, Joh 1:14, 1Co 3:16, 2Co 6:16
  • Spread skirt over = salvation – Eze 16:8, Ruth 3:9
  • Spread wings over = salvation – Ruth 1:16,2:12, Ps 17:8, Ps 36:7, Ps 57:1, Ps 61:4, Ps 63:7, Ps 91:4, Mat 23:37, Deut 32:11
  • Tents of the righteous – Ps 118:15

 

However, in Dan 11:45, the tent is the palace (H643, appedem, only occurrence in the Old Testament) of the King of the North.  There are other places in the Bible that states that the antichrist (indwelled by Satan) desires to be in the holy place of God:

  • Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.  (2Th 2:4)
  • That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon … For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (Isa 14:4,13-15)

The glorious holy mountain points to Mt. Zion, which is symbolic of eternal salvation:

  • The heavenly kingdom of God – Rev 14:1, Is 24:23, 4:2‑6, Ps 48:1‑8, 132:3
  • Where the deliverer come from ‑ Ro 11:26
  • Where the chief cornerstone is laid ‑ 1 Pet 2:6, Ro 9:33
  • The city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem ‑ Heb 12:22, Is 60:14, Ps 2:6, Ps 15:1, Ps 24:3, Ps 125:1, Ps 133:3, Is 35:10
  • Where salvation is ‑ Isa 51:3, Is 51:11, Is 51:16, Is 46:13, Jer 3:14, etc

Also, in Daniel, there is importance evidence that the King of the North’s entry into the glorious land is a symbol of the antichrist taking his seat in the end-time false Babylon (false churches and parachurches).

  • He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.  (Dan 11:41, see also Dan 11:16)

 

This tabernacle of the King of the North is planted ‘between’ the seas.  This Hebrew word (H996, beyn) could be translated as ‘among’ as is the case in many other occurrences of this word. This would harmonize with the following verse concerning the Prince of Tyre (type of the antichrist):

  • … say unto the prince of Tyrus … Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas … (Eze 28:2)

But, Joel 2:20 indicates that to be between (or among) the seas is a place of impending doom:

  • But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.  Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.  (Joe 2:20-21)

Also, the following verse points to eternal salvation involving living water flowing toward the two seas:

  • And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.  (Zec 14:8)

 

Throughout the Bible, seas are a portrait of a place damnation; a place one needs to be saved from (e.g., Ps 18:16-17, Ps 69:1-3, Ps 69:13-15, Ps 124:1-5, Ps 78:53, Ps 106:10-11, Jonah 1 with Mat 12:39-41):

  • Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. (Psa 69:1-2)
  • And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen … and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them … Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians … (Exo 14:26-30)
  • I … bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh … But with you will I establish my covenant; and you shall come into the ark … (Gen 6:17-18)
  • For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth … but my kindness shall not depart from you, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed … (Isa 54:9-10)
  • But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be … and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Mat 24:37-39)

 

He shall come to his end, none shall help him

 

The King of the North will come to an end.  The Hebrew word for end is qets (H7093), which is used several times in the Book of Daniel:

  • Dan 8:17, Dan 8:19, Dan 9:26 (2), Dan 11:6, Dan 11:27, Dan 11:35, Dan 11:40, Dan 11:45, Dan 12:4, Dan 12:6, Dan 12:9, Dan 12:13 (2), Hab 2:2-3 (2)
  • But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.  (Dan 12:13)

As can be seen in Dan 12:13 and many other passages in the Bible, there is a Last Day, where many things happen (e.g., Second Coming of Christ, Judgment Day, General Resurrection of the Dead, Battle of Armageddon, Dissolution of the heavens and the earth, etc.).  It is important to understand that there is a ‘General’ Resurrection of the dead where both the saved and unsaved people will be resurrected:

  • Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (Joh 5:25-29)

 

In Dan 11:45, the Bible teaches that ‘none shall help him’.  The antichrist (King of the North) gets no help.  Help, throughout points to the salvation that comes from God for His people.  The following verses describe the ‘help’ of God (which the King of the North will not have):

  • And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. (Isa 63:5)
  • Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. (Psa 22:11)
  • Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her: the adversaries saw her, and did mock at her sabbaths. (Lam 1:7)
  • Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.  (Psa 79:9)
  • Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. (Psa 107:11-12)
  • Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:  (Psa 109:26)
  • For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter: for there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.  (2Ki 14:26)
  • Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.  (Psa 30:10)
  • For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.  (Psa 72:12)
  • Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;  (Isa 49:8)
  • The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.  (Psa 28:7)
  • Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me. (Psa 118:13)

 

The Last Day – Michael Stands Up / Resurrection (Dan 12:1-3)

 

  • And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.  (Dan 12:1)
    • And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.  (Zec 14:4)
    • And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.  (Isa 11:10)
    • Michael is symbolic of Jesus Christ
  • And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.  (Dan 12:2)
    • An important Bible fact in understanding the Last Day is that of the ‘General Resurrection‘. The Bible teaches that on the Last Day, all people will be resurrected either to everlasting life or everlasting damnation. The widespread erroneous teaching of premillennialism negates this Bible teaching by teaching multiple resurrections of the dead and the living at different times.
    • Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (Joh 5:24-29)
  • And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.  (Dan 12:3)

 

3½ Times, 1290 Day and 1335 Days

 

3½ Times

 

Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.  (Dan 12:5)

  • And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz (Dan 10:4-5)

 

And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?  (Dan 12:6)

  • End – H7093 (qets), used several times in the Book of Daniel: Dan 8:17, Dan 8:19, Dan 9:26 (2), Dan 11:6, Dan 11:27, Dan 11:35, Dan 11:40, Dan 11:45, Dan 12:4, Dan 12:6, Dan 12:9, Dan 12:13
  • Wonders – H6381 / H6382 (wonder / marvel
  • Other wonders in prophecy:
    • The 2nd coming of Jesus Christ – 2 Thess 1:10
    • Marveled at Babylon – Rev 17:6-7
    • Marveled at the Beast – Rev 17:7-8
    • Great and marvelous are the works of God – Rev 15:3
    • John wondered at 7 angels with 7 bowls – Rev 15:1
    • Marvel at the beast with the wounded head – Rev 13:3
    • And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. (Dan 11:36)

 

And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.  (Dan 12:7)

  • 3½ times – symbol for the latter half of the 70th week of prophecy
    • 7 is perfection of purpose – see notes on 7 (3 ½ is half of 7 – see ½ notes)
    • 3 ½ times: Rev 12:14 – church age
    • 3 ½ times:  Dan 7:25, Dan 12:7 – great tribulation
    • 3 ½ days: Dan 9:27, Rev 11:9-11 – great tribulation
    • 1260 days: Rev 11:3, Rev 12:6  church age – time of nourishing and prophesying
    • 42 months: Rev 11:2, Rev 13:5 – great tribulation
    • 3 ½ years:  Dan 9:27, Ja 5:17, Lk 4:25 w/ Rev 11:6  – church age
  • Accomplished / finished – H3615 (kalah) – to cease, finish, perish
  • Scatter the power of the holy people – H5310 (naphats) – to dash to pieces
    • And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. (Isa 11:12)
    • Scattering – Besides captivity and killing during the Babylonian Captivity, another method of desolating Jerusalem and the land was to scatter the people of Judah by causing them to flee. The most discussed scattering of God’s people from their land was the fall of the southern tribe of Judah / Benjamin from Jerusalem / Judah.  This is the subject of major prophetic books such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Micah and Zephaniah.
    • During the Great Tribulation, the scattering (disunity) of God’s people will occur (e.g., Mat 24:9)

 

1290 – The time of the Removal of the Daily and the abomination of Desolation

 

And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.  (Dan 12:11)

  • Daily – see above on Dan 11:31 – daily activities of a Christian – prayer, Bible, service of others
  • Abomination that makes desolate – See Dan 11:31 above – worship of other gods and idols, which desolates the church

 

1290 days

  • 1290 days symbolically represents the Witness of God’s will being done by His people (servants) who endure the Great Tribulation (Abomination of Desolation)
    • Dan 12:11 – And from the time the daily is taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, 1290 days
  • 1290 can be evaluated in two important methods:
    1. First, the number is the product of 3 times 430. The number 3 represents the Witness of God’s will and the number 430 represents the time period of being God’s people, but not in the promised land (Ex 12:40-42, Gal 3:16-7). Of this 430 years, 30 years are expired not in bondage and the other 400 years represent the fullness of trial of being in bondage (Acts 7:6, Gen 15:13).  Thirty represent the preparation for God’s will being done in the earthly service of His people (see discussion on the number 30). It is important to note that the symbolic meaning of the number 3 (witness of God’s will) is evident during the Great Tribulation since 1290 is the product of 3 and 430.
    2. It is also important to note that the sum of 1260 days (days of sending forth the Gospel in the church age) and 30 (the preparation for God’s will being done in the earthly service of His people).

 

3 – The Witness of God’s Will

  • God’s Word – 2 or 3 witnesses – Mat 18:16, Deut 17:6, Deut 19:15, Heb 10:28, 1 Tim 5:19, 2 Cor 13:1, 2 Cor 13:1, 1 John 5:8
    • God the Father is a Witness – John 8:17-18, John 5:37-40, 1 John 5:6-12
    • Jesus Christ as the Faithful Witness – Rev 1:2, Rev 1:5, Rev 3:14, Isa 55:4, Jer 42:5 (Jesus is the Word of God – John 1:1)
    • Holy Spirit as a Witness – Act 5:32, Ro 8:16, 1 John 4:13, 1 John 5:6-10
  • Trinity
    • Points to the Trinity – 1 John 5:6-10
    • Baptize in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit – Mat 28:19, Mat 3:16-17
    • The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.  (2Co 13:14)
    • Through Jesus, we have access by the Spirit to the Father – Eph 2:18
  • Holy, holy holy – Isa 6:3, Rev 4:8-9
  • Let us make man in our image – Gen 1:26
  • The Lord God and His Spirit has sent me – Isa 48:16
  • Rev 22:1 – God and Lamb on the Throne, Water of Life (Holy Spirit) flows out of throne
  • Jesus baptized with Spirit, voice of God, this is my well-beloved Son – Mat 3:16-17
  • Spirit, the Lord and God all the same – 1 Cor 12:4-6
  • Jesus prays to the Father to send the Holy Spirit to abide with you forever – John 14:16-17, John 15:26
  • Holy Spirit, who the Father will send in the name of Jesus – John 14:26
  • Holy Spirit comes upon Mary, power of the Highest, Jesus to be born of her – Lk 1:35
  • Baptism of Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit descended upon Him, You are my beloved Son – Lk 3:21-22
  • God established His people in Christ and seals with the Holy Spirit – 2 Cor 1:21-22
  • One Spirit, One Lord, One God – Eph 4:4-6
  • Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ – 1 Pet 1:2
  • Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit; in these serve Christ to be acceptable in God – Ro 14:17-18
  • The Work of Christ at the Cross
    • 3 days / nights – John 2:19-20, Mk 8:31, Mat 27:63
    • Build temple in three days – Mk 15:29
    • Jesus to rise the third day – Mk 9:31, 1 Cor 15:3-5, Acts 10:40-41
    • 3 disciples found in garden sleeping (Jesus came 3 times to them) – Mk 14:33-41 (not watching)
    • Peter denied Christ 3 times – John 18:15-27, Mk 14:29-30,69-72,  John 13:37-38, Lk 22:34, 56-61, Mat 26:69-74
    • 3 women at the cross – Mk 15:40, Mk 16:1, John 19:25
    • 3 crosses – Mk 15:27, Mat 27:38, Luk 23:32-33, Joh 19:18
    • Crucified at the third hour of the day – Mk 15:25
    • Darkness 3 hours – Mk 15:33, Mat 27:45, Lk 23:44
  • 3 in the New Testament
    • 3 transfigured – Mat 17:1-9, Mk 9:2-8, Lk 9:28-36
    • Faith, hope and Love – 1 Cor 13:13
    • 3-fold nature of a person (spirit, soul, body) – 1 Th 5:23
    • 3rd heaven – 2 Cor 12:2
    • But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (Joh 1:12-13)
  • Paul goes to Corinth 3 times – 2 Cor 12:14 (ready / prepared to come)
  • Command to take purse, script, sword – Lk 22:35-36
    • And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.  (Mat 6:13)
    • Jesus says to feed my sheep 3 times – John 21:15-17
  • 3 appeals to take away thorn – 2 Cor 12:7-8
  • 3 temptations of Jesus Christ by Satan – Mat 4:1-11
    • 3 woes of Revelation – Rev 8:13
  • 3 gifts to the Christ child – Mat 2:11
  • The sheet let down to Peter 3 times to teach him that God is not a respecter of persons – Acts 10:16

430

  • Life of Eber after he begat Peleg – Gen 11:16-17
  • Law came after 430 years – Gal 3:17
  • Israel in Egypt – Ex 12:40-41, Gal 3:17 (30 years not in bondage, in bondage 400 years (Acts 7:6, Gen 15:13)) entry into Egypt (Gen 46:3, Gen 46:28, Gen 47:1)
    • Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.  (Exo 12:40-42) – Note: related to the Passover
    • Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. (Gal 3:16-17)

 

  • 30 – Fullness of Preparation for godly service (God’s will)
  • Salah’s age when he begat Eber:
    • And Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber:  (Gen 11:14)
  • Age of Peleg, when he begot Reu:
    • And Peleg lived thirty years, and begat Reu:  (Gen 11:18)
  • Age of Seug, when he begot Nahor:
    • And Serug lived thirty years, and begat Nahor:  (Gen 11:22)
  • Joseph 30 years old when he stood before Pharaoh:
    • And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.  (Gen 41:46)
  • 30 – 50 years old – age of those who work in tabernacle
    • From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.  (Num 4:3)
    • From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.  (Num 4:23)
    • From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.  (Num 4:30)
    • From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation:  (Num 4:35)
    • From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation,  (Num 4:39)
    • From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation,  (Num 4:43)
    • From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation,  (Num 4:47)
    • Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.  (1Ch 23:3)
  • 30 years old – David begins his reign:
    • David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.  (2Sa 5:4)
  • Jesus age when He began His ministry work:
    • And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,  (Luk 3:23)

 

1335 days – The time of patience for salvation

 

Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.  (Dan 12:12)

  • Blessed – points to salvation
    • Blessing is the opposite of a curse (see Deut 28)
    • Parable of the sheep and the goats:
    • Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  (Mat 25:34)
    • Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (Mat 25:41)
    • The highest spiritual good (salvation)
    • Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. (Rom 4:7-8)
  • Waits – patient for salvation
    • Patience waiting for redemption – Rom 8:23-25, Rom 2:7, Rom 12:12; Isa 64:4, Gen 49:18; Psa 27:14, Psa 37:7-9, Psa 62:1, Psa 62:5-6, Psa 130:5-7; Isa 25:9, Isa 26:8; Lam 3:25-26; Luk 8:15, Luk 21:19; Col 1:11; 1Th 1:3; 2Th 3:5; Heb 6:12, Heb 6:15, Heb 10:36, Heb 12:1-3; Jas 1:3-4, Jas 5:7-11; Rev 1:9, Rev 13:10; Rev 14:12
    • For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that wait for him.  (Isa 64:4)
    • And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.  (Isa 25:9)
    • And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. (Rom 8:23-25)

1335 days – 1290 days + 45 days

  • 45 (450) God’s promise of the Inheritance for those who wait in a time of spiritual battle
  • 450 – points to fullness (i.e., 45 times 10)
  • Time from Caleb spying out the land until receiving Hebron (promise) – Josh 14:10
    • Jos 14:9-14  And Moses swore on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s forever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.  (10)  And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spoke this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.  (11)  As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.  (12)  Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.  (13)  And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.  (14)  Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.
  • Judges until Samuel – Acts 13:20 (every man did what was right in their own eyes – Jud 21:25, Jud 17:6, Jud 18:1, Jud 19:1)
    • And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.  (Act 13:20-21)
    • Judges given by God to deliver the people – Jdg 2:16, Jdg 3:10; Rth 1:1; 1Sa 12:11; 2Sa 7:11; 2Ki 23:22; 1Ch 17:6, 1Sa 3:20
  • Prophets of Baal – 1 Ki 18:17-40
    • Elijah destroys 450 prophets that ere facilitating Baal worship
    • Spiritual battle between Elijah and the prophets and Baal – 1 Ki 18:20-36
    • Providence of God by consuming sacrifice and turned back the hearts of the people – 1 Ki 18:37-40
  • 450 talents of gold brought to King Solomon – 2 Chr 8:18
    • And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures. Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was perfected. Then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom. And Huram sent him by the hands of his servants ships, and servants that had knowledge of the sea; and they went with the servants of Solomon to Ophir, and took thence four hundred and fifty talents of gold, and brought them to king Solomon.  (2Ch 8:15-18)

 

But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.  (Dan 12:13)

  • Go your way – way of salvation
    • Jesus is the way of salvation – John 14:6, Eph 2:18, Ro 5:2, Is 11:16, Is 19:23, Is 30:21, Is 35:8-10, Is 40:3, Is 42:16, Is 49:11, Is 51:10, Is 62:10, Ps 25:8, Pr 3:6, Ps 23, Gen 3:24
    • See also Dan 12:9
  • End (of days) – points to the Last Day (H7093)
    • Dan 11:6, Dan 11:13, Dan 11:27, Dan 11:35, Dan 11:40, Dan 11:45, Dan 12:4, Dan 12:6, Dan 12:9, Dan 12:13
  • Rest – portrait of salvation – Rest – salvation (Heb 3:16-19, Heb 4:1-11, Mat 11:28, Ps 95:11, Jer 6:16, Is 28:12, Is 30:15, Is 32:17-18, Is 11:10, Dan 12:13)
  • Stand in thy lot
    • Lot – H1486, goral – symbolic of eternal life in the promised land
    • Promised land received by ‘lot’ – Num 26:55-56 (2), Num 33:54 (2), Num34:13, Num 36:2-3 (2), Jos 14:2, Jos 17:1 (3), Jos 17:14, Jos 17:17, Jos 18:11 (2), Jos 19:1, Jos 19:10, Jos 19:17, Jos 19:24, Jos 19:32, Jos 19:40, Jos 19:51, Jos 21:4-6 (4), Jos 21:8, Jos 21:10, Jos 21:20, Jos 21:40
    • ‘Lot’ tied to salvation (election) – G2975, lagchano, (to receive by lot):
      • Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:  (2Pe 1:1)
      • For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.  (Act 1:17)
      • They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.  (Joh 19:24)

Sealing of the Book until the End (Dan 12:4, 8-10)

 

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.  (Dan 12:4)

  • Shut up (see also Dan 12:9) – H5640, satham – 14 occurrences, literally, to ‘stop up’
    • To stop the literal fulfillment of the spiritual meaning until the time of the end
    • And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.  (Dan 8:26)
    • Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.  (Psa 51:6)
    • Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.  (Lam 3:8)
    • And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.  (2Ki 3:19)
    • For all the wells which his father’s servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.  (Gen 26:15)
  • Timetable for revealing truth:
    • And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.  (Dan 8:26)
    • And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.  (Dan 12:9)
    • And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. (Isa 8:14-16)
    • For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. (Isa 29:10-12)
    • And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation (Rev 5:1-9)
    • And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.  (Rev 10:4)
    • For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes … But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. (Mat 13:15-16)
    • The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass … (Rev 1:1)
  • Words – points to the Word of God (John 1:1, Psa 119, etc.)
  • Seal the Book (Book of Daniel)
    • Seal – H2856, chatham – to make secure, guard
    • Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.  (Dan 9:24)
    • The Hebrew word for ‘seal’ occurs 27 times in the Old Testament. It is used in Dan 9:24, Dan 12:4 and Dan 12:9 with reference to sealing up the book of Daniel until the end times. In other places in the Old Testament, it is used to seal up a treasure or a document so that it would not be opened until the person who it was intended for receives it (e.g., Deut 32:34, 1 Ki 21:8, Est 3:12, 8:8-10, etc.).  In Job 14:17, the Job speaking of what happens when one has died, says that his transgression is sealed up in a bag.
    • Seal represents a guarantee (certainty) – Mat 27:66, Neh 9:38
      • King Ahasuerus seals decrees with the king’s ring – Est 3:12, Est 8:8, Est 8:10
      • No man can reverse – Est 8:8
      • Books are sealed until the end time – Dan 12:4, Dan 12:9
    • Seal on a letter – guarantee that the letters will not be read except by the addressee
      • Jezebel sealed letters with a seal to elders / nobles – 1 Ki 21:8
      • Learned one cannot read books that are sealed – Is 29:11
    • Christians are sealed with the Holy Spirit- John 3:33, John 6:27, Ro 15:28, Ro 4:11, 1 Cor 9:2, 2 Tim 2:19, Rev 7:2-8
      • With Holy Spirit as the earnest (downpayment) – Eph 4:30, 2 Cor 1:22, Eph 1:13
      • Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction – Job 33:16
      • End (seal up) sin and seal prophecy and vision – Dan 9:24
      • Seal of living God to the 144,000 on their foreheads (Rev 7:2-8, Rev 9:4)
      • Transgressions sealed up in a bag – Job 14:17
      • 12 patriarchs were engraved in High Priest’s breastplate stones by signet – Ex 28:11, Ex 28:21
    • Word of God is sealed – Neh 9:38, Job 9:7, Job 33:16
      • Revelation book with 7 seals – Rev 5:1-2, Rev 5:5, Rev 5:9, Rev 6:1, Rev 6:3, Rev 6:5, Rev 6:7, Rev 6:9, Rev 6:12, Rev 8:1
      • Seal not prophecy of this book – Rev 22:10
      • 7 thunders sealed up – Rev 10:4
      • Satan sealed in pit so he would not deceive – Rev 20:3
      • End (seal up) sin and seal prophecy and vision – Dan 9:24
      • And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot;  for it is sealed – Isa 29:11
      • Bind up the testimony, seal the law to God’s disciples – Is 8:16
      • Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction – Job 33:16
      • Daniel to seal up the book until the end – Dan 12:4, Dan 12:9
      • Jeremiah purchases land – one book sealed, one book unsealed – Jer 32:10-14
    • God’s Word is a mystery (see notes 1:20, Dan 8:6, Dan 12:4-9, Is 8:16, Is 29:11)
    • Blindness of man – (Mat 13:13-16, Acts 28:26f, Ro 11:8,25, Is 6:9, Jer 5:21, Ez 12:2, John 9:39-41)
  • Time of the End – points to the Great Tribulation and the Last Day (H7093) – based on Dan 11:27-29
    • Dan 11:6, Dan 11:13, Dan 11:27, Dan 11:35, Dan 11:40, Dan 11:45, Dan 12:4, Dan 12:6, Dan 12:9, Dan 12:13
  • Many shall run to and fro – (H7751), shut – 13 occurrences – literally, to push forth (as rowing with oars) – key passage – Amos 8:12 (points to extent of gaining information)
    • And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.  (Num 11:8)
    • For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.  (2Sa 24:2)
    • So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.  (2Sa 24:8)
    • For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.  (2Ch 16:9)
    • And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.  (Job 1:7)
    • And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.  (Job 2:2)
    • Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executes judgment, that seeks the truth; and I will pardon it.  (Jer 5:1)
    • Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together.  (Jer 49:3)
    • The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots.  (Eze 27:8)
    • Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas.  (Eze 27:26)
    • But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.  (Dan 12:4)
    • Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. (Amo 8:11-12)
    • For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.  (Zec 4:10)
  • Increase – H7235, rabah – to increase / multiply – 224 occurrences
  • Knowledge shall increase parallel passages:
    • And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.  (Dan 12:3)
    • Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.  (Dan 12:10)
    • And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.  (Mat 24:14)
    • And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (Rev 14:6-7)
    • And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. (Dan 11:32-33)
  • Knowledge – H1847 (daath)
  • And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Gen 2:9)
  • But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Gen 2:17)
  • Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. (1Sa 2:3)
  • I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. (Job 36:3)
  • Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. (Psa 19:2)
  • Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God. (Psa 53:4)
  • And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? (Psa 73:11)
  • He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know? (Psa 94:10)
  • Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. (Psa 119:66)
  • Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. (Psa 139:6)
  • To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. (Pro 1:4)
  • The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Pro 1:7)
  • Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. (Pro 2:5)
  • For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. (Pro 2:6)
  • Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. (Isa 5:13)
  • And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; (Isa 11:2)
  • They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. (Isa 11:9)
  • Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little (Isa 28:9-10)
  • He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. (Isa 53:11)
  • Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. (Isa 58:3)
  • And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. (Jer 3:15)
  • My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. (Hos 4:6)
  • For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (Hos 6:6)
  • For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. (Hab 2:14)
  • For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. (Mal 2:7)
  • Know / Knowledge (New Testament) – G1108 (gnosis), G1107 (gnorizo)
  • To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, (Luk 1:77)
  • Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. (Luk 11:52)
  • For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. (Rom 10:2)
  • O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Rom 11:33)
  • Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.  (Joh 15:15)
  • Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.  (Act 2:28)
  • And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. (Rom 15:14)
  • But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:  (Rom 16:26)
  • That in everything ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; (1Co 1:5)
  • Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. (2Co 2:14)
  • For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2Co 4:6)
  • Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2Co 10:5)
  • But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things. (2Co 11:6)
  • Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:  (Eph 1:9)
  • That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: (Eph 1:17)
  • How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,  (Eph 3:3)
  • Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Eph 4:13)
  • And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,  (Eph 6:19)
  • For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (Col 1:9)
  • That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Col 1:10)
  • To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:  (Col 1:27)
  • In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col 2:3)
  • And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Col 3:10)
  • According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (2Pe 1:3)
  • And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (2Pe 1:5)
  • And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; (2Pe 1:6)
  • For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2Pe 1:8)
  • For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. (2Pe 2:20)
  • But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2Pe 3:18)

 

And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?  (Dan 12:8)

  • Heard, but understood not – see notes below on Dan 12:10
  • End of these things – H319, ‘achărı̂yth – latter (outcome)

 

And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.  (Dan 12:9)

  • Go your way – way of salvation
    • Jesus is the way of salvation – John 14:6, Eph 2:18, Ro 5:2, Is 11:16, Is 19:23, Is 30:21, Is 35:8-10, Is 40:3, Is 42:16, Is 49:11, Is 51:10, Is 62:10, Ps 25:8, Pr 3:6, Ps 23, Gen 3:24
  • Words – points to the Word of God (John 1:1, Psa 119, etc.)
  • Closed up – same Hebrew word as above in Dan 12:4 (shut up)
  • Sealed – see above on Dan 12:4
  • Time of the End – points to the Great Tribulation and the Last Day (H7093) – based on Dan 11:27-29
    • Dan 11:6, Dan 11:13, Dan 11:27, Dan 11:35, Dan 11:40, Dan 11:45, Dan 12:4, Dan 12:6, Dan 12:9, Dan 12:13

 

Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.  (Dan 12:10)

  • Many shall be purified
    • Old Testament (H1305), barar – to be made pure (Dan 12:10, Dan 11:35, Isa 52:11, 2 Sam 22:27, Psa 18:26, Zeph 3:9
    • G53, hagnos (cognates are G47 – harneia, G48 – hangizo, G49 – hagnismos, G54 – hagnotes)
      • Literally, to make pure, clean
      • G53 also has a common root with G40
    • G40, hagios (cognates are G37 – hagiazo, G38 – hagiasmos, G39 hagion, G41 – hagiotes, G42 – hagiosne)
      • To make or be holy (set apart, made pure, clean, sanctified)
    • Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:  (1Pe 1:22)
    • Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.  (1Jn 3:2-3)
    • Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.  (1Ti 5:22)
    • For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.  (2Co 11:2)
  • White
    • See Rev 6:2 – Christ conquering and to conquer
    • White – Gr: leukos (G3022) – white (different than Rev 19:8 (lampros))
      • Mat 5:36, Mar 9:2-3 (3), Mar 16:5, Luk 9:29, Joh 4:35, Joh 20:12, Act 1:10, Rev 1:14 (2), Rev 2:17, Rev 3:4-5 (2), Rev 3:18, Rev 4:4, Rev 6:2, Rev 6:11, Rev 7:9, Rev 14:13-14 (2), Rev 19:11, Rev 19:14 (2), Rev 20:11
    • White represents – clean / no sin / holiness – see Rev 1:14-15 notes
    • White represents holiness – Ps 51:7, Dan 12:10, Dan 11:35, Dan 9:7, Is 1:18, 2 Chr 5:12, Ecc 9:8, Song 5:10, Rev 7:14, Rev 7:9-13, Rev 1:14, Rev 2:7, Rev 3:5, Rev 3:18, Rev 19:8, Rev 19:11, Rev 19:14
    • White horses – Zech 6:1-8, Zech 1:8
  • Tried – Zech 13:8-9
    • Persecution – proving
    • Gr: dioke, diogimos (44 occurrences)
    • By those in the church – Mat 5:10-12, 10:23, 23:34, Lk 11:49, 21:12, John 5:16,15:20, Acts 7:52, 9:4-5, 22:7-8, 26:14-15, 22:4, 26:11, 1 Cor 15:9, Gal 1:13,23, Phil 3:9, Acts 8:1, Gal 4:29, Rev 12:13, 1 Thess 2:15 w/Acts 17:5,13 (also 2 Thess 1:4), Acts 13:42,46,50, Gal 5:11, 6:12, 2 Tim 3:11-12, 13:50, 14:2,19
    • Cannot keep us from Christ – Ro 8:35
    • Takes pleasures in – 2 Cor 12:10
    • Persecution because of the Word – Mat 13:21, Mk 4:17
    • Receive children and lands – Mk 10:30
    • But not forsaken – 2 Cor 4:9
    • Bless them that persecute – Ro 12:14
    • Pray for those who persecute you – Mat 5:44
  • Wicked (a person) – Heb: rasha (H7563) – morally wrong
  • But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it. (Pro 2:22)
  • Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation  of the wicked, when it cometh. (Pro 3:25)
  • The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. (Pro 11:8)
  • The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is (Pro 11:23)
  • Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner. (Pro 11:31)
  • The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. (Pro 12:7)
  • None of the wicked shall understand / Wise shall understand
    • Only Christians are given ears to hear and understand spiritual truth – 1 Cor 2:14‑15 ‑Mat 13:10‑16, 1 Cor 2:6‑16, 1 John 4:6, 2 Cor 3:12‑4:4, Heb 10:16, Jer 31:33‑34, 2 John 1‑2, Col 3:9‑10, John 10:3, 2 Tim 1:7, John 2:26‑27, Ps 19:7‑8, 25:12‑14, 32:8, Luke 11:33‑36, Phil 3:15, Mk 5:15, 2 Thess 2:11, John 8:47, 18:37