Daniel Lesson 10 Date: Wednesday, Feb 4, 2015 Text: Daniel 11:21 - 12:13 Note: This continues the prophecy started in Dan 11:2. It would help to review what was covered in the last lesson as you prepare this one! Review Recall that Antiochus III Great was defeated by Rome, and Rome imposed heavy taxation and held his son Antiochus IV Epiphanes hostage in Rome - to assure Antiochus III’s compliance. When Antiochus III died, his brother Seleucus IV Philopater took the throne. His son, Demetrius I Soter, was then taken to Rome as a political hostage. Seleucus IV was then deposed by his prime minister, Heliodorus. Antiochus IV Epiphanes was released from Rome the same year, in 175 BC. Antiochus IV Epiphanes There is a large amount of information given in our text regarding this king, as compared to all the others listed throughout this prophecy. This is because of the enormous impact he had on the Jews. Antiochus took the throne by slaying Heliodorus. He was aided by kings from Asia Minor, Eumenes and Attalus, whom he had won over by flattery. Recall that his sister, Cleopatra, is Queen Mother in Egypt to young Ptolemy VI Philometer. Antiochus Ephiphanes tried to Hellenize (make Greek) the Jews. He went into the Holy of Holies of the Temple. He erected shrines to Zeus and persecuted the Jews severely. When his sister Cleopatra died, he invaded Egypt. He entered one rich Egyptian city after another and made the people think he was bringing them peace and security, when in reality he was taking over; by 170 BC he had made Ptolemy VI his vassal. Ptolemy attacked, but could not win. Peace negotiations failed due to dishonesty. Ptolemy VI appealed to Rome, who sent Popillius Laenus to Egypt, where Antiochus met him in 168 BC. Laenus ordered Antiochus to leave Egypt, and Antiochus replied that he would consider it. Laenus drew a circle around him in the sand, and demanded that he decide before he left the circle. Antiochus sullenly consented and returned to Syria, and took his anger out on the Jews. He sacrificed a pig on the altar of the temple, poured the broth throughout the temple, placed an idol of Zeus within the temple, and made it punishable by death to follow the Law of Moses. In 168-167 BC Mattathias led the Maccabean Jews in a revolt. Antiochus had desecrated the Temple in 167 BC, and it remained so until 164 BC when it was cleansed by Judas. Antiochus reportedly died of a horrible disease in 163 BC. Abomination of Desolation Daniel uses this phrase in 11:31 (and refers back to it in 12:11) to describe the impact Antiochus Epiphanes had on Jewish worship. Specifically, it seems to refer to the events defiling the temple as well as all other events related to this. Abomination means anything hateful or disgusting. Desolation means being wasted, alone, deserted, or uninhabitable. So this phrase, literally, would mean the horrible condition of being unusable or deserted. But what exactly does this mean? Jesus used this phrase also (see question 2.) The premillenialists tell us that the first time this phrase refers to Antiochus Ephiphanes’ desecration of the temple, but in Dan 12:11 and when Jesus spoke of it, it refers to the beginning of the “tribulation” period. They state that the daily sacrifice will be taken away (even though there is no longer a daily sacrifice!), and that, according to Dan 12:11, this period will last 1290 literal days. “At the midpoint of the tribulation “week” Antichrist will abolish the Jewish sacrifices (9:27; Matt 24:15; II Thess 2:4). From that time to the end will be 1290 days. Normally 3 ½ years (of 360 days per year) would include only 1260 days. The extra 30 days mentioned here allow for the judgments that will take place after the second coming of Christ.” — “explanatory” notes from Ryrie Study Bible. What problems do YOU see with this line of thought? See question 3! To what DOES this phrase really refer? See question 4! Who? Daniel 11:36-45 (and perhaps on through 12:3) is yet another difficult and confusing section. The issue is — who is being talked about here? Some would say it continues to talk about Antiochus Epiphanes; however, the things mentioned in this passage don’t fit what happened with him after 168 BC. Premillenialists see The Antichrist, some future leader of opposition to Christ during the millenial kingdom and tribulation that they have conjured up. Another option is that the king of the North is now represented by Rome. See questions 5-6. Page 1 of 3 Lesson 10 Questions 1. See Next page, to relate the events of this prophecy (Dan 11:21-35) to Coin of Antiochus IV. Reverse the historical events of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. shows Apollo seated on an omphalos. The Greek inscription 2. Where else in the Bible — besides Daniel — is the term “abomination of reads "ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ desolation” used? Who used this phrase? ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ" (Antiochus, image of God, bearer of victory). 3. Refer back to the teachings of Premillenialism — briefly stated on the front page of this lesson — regarding the phrase “abomination of desolation” both in Daniel as well as the two references in the New Testament. What problems do you see with this Premillenial line of thinking? 4. A. When Daniel uses the phrase “abomination of desolation” in 11:31, to what does he clearly refer? B. Is Dan 12:11 referring to the end of the world, or could it be referring to the same event as Dan 11:31? C. Read Mt 24:14-22. (It helps to read the whole chapter!) Does this seem to refer to a spiritual event, or a physical event (note the fleeing that is suggested)? D. Look back at Mt 24:1-2. What is Jesus teaching about in this passage in Matthew? E. The temple was completely destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. Jewish sacrifice could be no longer, and has not been possible since (all records of the priesthood were lost.) We know that the sacrifice was central to Jewish religious ceremony. Therefore, what do the “abomination of desolation” of Antiochus Epiphanes, and the complete destruction of the temple in 70 A.D., have in common? 5. From 11:5 through 11:45, we have seen the king of the south and the king of the north A. Back in 11:3 the focus changed from Persian power to Greece. Did the text tell us that the mighty king was from Greece rather than Persia? B. The focus of these visions have been the changing in world powers as they relate to God’s people, the Jews. Could the kingdom have changed from Grecian to Roman, and yet still be represented as the king from the North? Would this fit the context of the book and this vision? 6. The phrase “time of the end” or “latter days” appears or is alluded to 8 times in this vision (11:27, 35, 40, 12:4, 6, 8, 9, 13.) Understanding Daniel 10:14 is key to understanding the end of this vision. A. Per Daniel 10:14, to whom would this vision happen, and when? B. Per Dan 12:7, when would these events be completed? C. Read Dan 8:17-19. That vision was said to pertain to what time? D. Now review Dan 8:20-25. That vision referred to what kingdoms, and in particular what king? E. In light of that, does this vision (ch 10-12) pertain to “end of the world” events, or to the impact on the Jewish race as God’s fleshly kingdom? Daniel Lesson 10, page 2 of 3 7. Assuming that 11:36-45 refers to Rome as the king of the north, A. What are verses 36-39 telling us about Rome? B. Cleopatra (last of the Ptolemy line) & Mark Antony battled Rome in a land and sea war, but were finally defeated in the Battle of Actium, 31 BC. Octavian (Augustus) then passed through Israel on his way to conquer Egypt. How does this match with 11:40-43? 1. Tie the events of Antiocus IV Epiphanes’ rule over Syria (175 - 163 BC) to the verses of Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 11:21-35, 536 BC.) The events from history are in the boxes on the right. Place the matching verse number(s) in the blank on the left. These are NOT out of order, and again, yes, this is as easy as it looks! The idea is to see how what is now history fits with Daniel’s prophecy. __21___ Demetrius I Soter, son of Seleucus IV, should have been the next king, but Antiochus Epiphanes gained control using flattery as noted on the front page. The Syrians allow this peaceably. _______ Antochus was successful in war against great armies such as that of Ptolemy VI Philometer in 170 BC near Pelusium. He deposed Onias as high priest, allowing Jason to assume this role. (a Hellenizer) _______ Antiochus made many covenants to form allies, although he was deceitful with them. He had a policy of & lavish giving to woo “friends.” He was able to take Egypt using deceit, as noted on the front page. None of _______ his predecessors had been able to take control of Egypt. _______ & Ptolemy VI rose against Antiochus Epiphanes, attacking in 170 BC near Pelusium; some of his army _______ deserted, and he was defeated. His downfall was aided by some of his close associates.