JIV: In a previous article we pointed out two significant factors.

1. Israel (Jews) will not, perhaps “cannot” accept an End Time deceiver other than one of their own kind. We all know that the Jews anticipate a Messiah but do not accept Jesus as the one. They accept that their Messiah will come from within their own people and be from the Tribe of Judah, i.e., a JEW. This is a descendant of King David and from the Tribe of Judah.
2. Muslims will not bow to or accept anything other than their own version of the future. One that is led by a great Muslim; the 12^th Imam (primarily held in very high esteem by the Shi’a. The Sunni branch of Islam does not have Imams in the same sense as the Shi’a, an important distinction often overlooked by those outside of the Islamic religion. Both groups await the return of the 12^th Imam/Messiah who will judge the world converting all faiths to Islam; destroying abstainers, objectors, and nonconformists.

So what does this mean? If anti-Christ is from either group, the other side of this same coin will be identified as a counterfeit. There will be a ruler of the north, possibly Europe Union often identified as the resurrected Holy Roman Empire, and a ruler in the Arab (south) probably someone identified as the 12^th Imam; Muhammad al Mahdi.

NOTE: We will have more to share on this touchy subject later, but this helps set the stage for the following dual or parallel prophecies; prophecies already fulfilled plus parallel End Time prophecy yet to be revealed.

Verse 11:21 to 35

²¹ “He [Seleucid Philopator] will be succeeded by a contemptible person [Antiochus IV Epiphanes “the Illustrious” using his own words. His birth name was Mithradites] he has not been given the honor of royalty [natural succession to the throne; held in contempt by those around him. He had poisoned his older brother Antiochus III]. He will invade the kingdom [Syrian Empire; his own country] when its people feel secure, and he [Antiochus Epiphanes; Life span; 215 B.C. to 164 B.C.] will seize it through intrigue. ²² Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before him; both it [Ptolemy VI Philometer, son of Cleopatra I] and a prince of the covenant [What other covenant is not revealed other than The Law of Moses; this could have been the High Priest Jason or Onias III but in End Time parallel prophecy, this will be the Jerusalem Temple leadership] will be destroyed. ²³ After coming to an agreement with him [Egypt and the Province of Israel], he will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power [as will the anti-Christ]. ²⁴ When the richest provinces [those areas supposedly protected by Rome as in an End Time revived Holy Roman Empire] feel secure, he [Epiphany of the north] will invade them and will achieve what neither his father nor his forefathers did. He will distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers [close associates who support him; many deserters of Judaism]. He will plot the overthrow of *fortresses—but only for a time; [*the richest of the provinces under his control. He does this through lies, deceit, and intrigue. “Only for a time” may suggest a parallel to End Time, the 7-year Tribulation; perhaps it being only the last 3 ½ years of Daniel’s 70^th week]

JIV AHA MOMENT: Here is where the origins of saying, to draw a line (circle) in the sand statement comes from. Antiochus Epiphanies invades Egypt, which is ruled by his pharaoh nephew, Ptolemy Philometer, son of Cleopatra I. He is threatened by Rome. Withdraw his troops or be considered at-war with Rome. The Roman emissary who was in Egypt at this time demanded an answer from (Antiochus Epiphanes IV) before *stepping over the line in the sand”; an idiom. The Roman Emissary Gaius Popillius Laenas had drawn a circle around Antiochus Epiphany IV in 168 B.C. a circle in the sand while they both stood on Egyptian soil. He agreed, then took his anger out on Jerusalem, Judaism, slaughtering 80,000 Jews and disgracing the Temple while returning to Syria. This is very similar to what the Bible tells us what it will be like during End Time Tribulation for Israel.

We don’t have the space to insert the entire setting of this passage’s parallel prophecy to End Time happenings but…(now we continue with identifying the pronouns used by Daniel in chapter 11).

 ²⁵ “With a large army he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South [Egypt]. The king of the South [Ptolemy VI Philometer Physcon] will wage war [against Epiphanes of Syria] with a large and very powerful army, but he [Ptolemy VI Philometer Physcon; Egypt] will not be able to stand because of the plots devised against him [his own people and Satraps (sub-kings of sort) of Egypt plotted against him including true Egyptians; i.e. Nubians, desiring to replace their ‘GREEK’ Pharaoh with an Egyptian Pharaoh]. ²⁶ Those who eat from the king’s provisions will try to destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall in battle. ²⁷ The two kings [Ptolemy VI Philometer and Antiochus Epiphanes], with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail because an end will still come at the appointed time. ²⁸ The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant [The Law of Moses being honored in former Israeli territories after being expelled from Egypt by Roman threats of war if he didn’t stand down; step out of the line in the sand]. He will take action [with great anger] against it [Israeli territory – Jews of the Tribe of Judah primarily in and around Jerusalem] and then return to his own country. ²⁹ “At the appointed time he [Epiphanes of Syria] will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before. ³⁰ Ships of the western coastlands [Rome then; End Time Tribulation?] will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant [Law of Moses and the Jews in the former Kingdom of Judah; 80,000 slaughtered]. He will return and show favor to those [false and self-centered priests of Judaism; those who preach a false religion rejecting traditional Judaism] who forsake the holy covenant.

 ³¹ “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress [Jerusalem] and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. ³² With flattery he will corrupt those (Jews) who have violated the covenant, but the people [True and Orthodox Jews of Jerusalem – the beginning of and rule of the Maccabeus revolt; 167 B.C. to 69 B.C.] who [Maccabee family of father and five sons] know their God will firmly resist him. [after 175 B.C. and just prior to 167 B.C.E. Antiochus Epiphanes of Syria plundered the Temple, once again captured Jerusalem, offered pig sacrifices on the altar of God, and forbid circumcision, Sabbath worship, and possession of the Law of Moses; manuscripts. He died in 164 B.C.]; 3 ½ years after he began the abomination and desecration of the Temple. The antichrist will do the same thing in 3 ½ years; Jacobs Trouble – Jeremiah 30:7.]

 ³³ “Those [Jews of Jerusalem; 2 Maccabees 5:11–14] who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they [followers of the High Priest: Menelaus was High Priest in Jerusalem from 171 B.C. to about 161 BC. He was the successor of Jason, the brother of Onias III.] will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. ³⁴ When they fall, they will receive little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. ³⁵ Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end [JIV: This could be a reference to the 144,000 discussed in Revelations 14:3,4; 2^nd Advent of Christ], for it will still come at the appointed time.

The King Who Exalts Himself (the interpretation of Daniel 11:1-35 has only some disagreement, BUT…)

From Dan 11:36 on, there is quite a diversity of opinions...

   a. Some believe Antiochus Epiphanes is still the subject
   b. Others suggest that a Roman emperor is being described (a possibility)

 If this (*c) is correct, the kings (leaders) referred to from this point on in Daniel 11 are symbolic and refer to leaders we do not yet know. They may already be in power today, or very soon will be. It also means from this point forward in Daniel, the territories mentioned are symbolic as were the territories and rulers in Daniel 11:1-35 in actuality but now fulfilled in what we identify as “secular” history. Both forks of this parallel in prophecies from Daniel’s pen and parchment paper go nameless but the first half can be identified as we have done in this Daniel series. It was written BEFORE it played out as today’s history and End Time events are yet to become history.
   *c. Still, others believe it refers to someone yet to come [Antichrist? Very possible]
   d. JIV: This is part of the watershed prophecy of short term (Antiochus) and a parallel End Time (antichrist); this parallel (watershed) probably different-times prophecies begin at Daniel 11:21. Other commentaries suggest the parallel begins at verse 11:36.

Rev. Dr. Jstark
2023