11:1 And in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood to strengthen him and to provide protection for him.)

The angel informed Daniel of what would happen in the future. This angel was attacked by a demon from Persia because Satan did not want humans to know the prophetic information in this chapter. Since this chapter is now recorded in writing for all to see, Satan raises up critics to late-date this book. These critics are biased and blind puppets of Satan who attempt to destroy the faith of the biblically-ignorant.

Daniel wrote this prophecy during the first year of Darius the Mede. Jesus called Daniel “a prophet.” Any skeptic who claims that Daniel did not write this message is calling Jesus a liar. Daniel recorded in writing some very detailed prophecies of what will happen in the 400 silent years between the Old and New Testaments. Scripture was not silent on this time period, because Daniel recorded the history in this chapter in advance.

11:2 Now I will tell you the truth. “Three more kings will arise for Persia. Then a fourth king will be unusually rich, more so than all who preceded him. When he has amassed power through his riches, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.

The angel would tell Daniel the truth about Israel's future. Cyrus the Great took Babylon in 539 B.C. There were four Persian kings after King Cyrus. These four kings were Cambyses, Pseudo-Smerdis, Darius Hystaspis, and Xerxes.

Xerxes was the husband of Esther and the wealthiest and most powerful king of the four. He was able to finance a feast that lasted 180 days. He spent four years amassing a large army and navy of 2.5 million soldiers. Xerxes invaded Greece in 480 B.C. and was defeated. This battle marked the decline of the Persian Empire.

11:3 Then a powerful king will arise, exercising great authority and doing as he pleases.

This powerful king was Alexander the Great, who came to power in 335 B.C. over the Graeco-Macedonian Empire. He conquered Persia and became the next world power.

11:4 Shortly after his rise to power, his kingdom will be broken up and distributed toward the four winds of the sky—but not to his posterity or with the authority he exercised, for his kingdom will be uprooted and distributed to others besides these.

Alexander had two sons and one half-brother. The two sons were chosen by the four generals to co-rule the Grecian empire, but there were disagreements as to who would rule in their stead until they became of age. This disagreement caused a civil war among the four generals. The end result was that Alexander's two sons and half-brother were murdered. Alexander's empire was passed down to his four generals. Cassander took Macedonia. Lysimachus took Asia Minor (modern Turkey). Seleucus Nicator took Syria and the remainder of the Middle East. Ptolemy took Egypt. All four of these generals warred among themselves. Eventually, they all lost their kingdoms to Rome.

11:5 “Then the king of the south and one of his subordinates will grow strong. His subordinate will resist him and will rule a kingdom greater than his.

Egypt was south of Israel. This king of the south was Ptolemy I Soter, a general who served under Alexander the Great.

The subordinate who resisted Soter was Seleucus I Nicator, another general of Alexander. He was the king of the north (Syria). Nicator will take over more land than Soter.

In verses 5-20, the kings of the south were Egyptian kings. The kings of the north were Syrian kings. Since Israel was between both of these nations, these kings would often engage Israel unwillingly in their conflicts. This book was written in advance to let the Jews know what they must face as a nation before the Messiah arrives.

11:6 After some years have passed, they will form an alliance. Then the daughter of the king of the south will come to the king of the north to make an agreement, but she will not retain her power, nor will he continue in his strength. She, together with the one who brought her, her child, and her benefactor will all be delivered over at that time.

About 250 B.C., Ptolemy Philadelphus of Egypt (king of the south) gave his daughter Berenice in marriage to Antiochus Theos of Syria (king of the north). Antiochus Theos (king of the north) was already married to Laodice, but he divorced her. Two years later, Ptolemy Philadelphus (king of the south) died. Therefore, Antiochus Theos (king of the north) divorced Berenice with her son and took back his first wife. Laodice did not want to be divorced again, so she poisoned Antiochus Theos (king of the north) and ordered the death of Berenice and her son. Then, Laodice placed her own son, Seleucus Callinicus (another king of the north), on the throne of Syria. It is interesting to note that Daniel was able to see all of this history 200 years in advance.

11:7 “There will arise in his place one from her family line who will come against their army and will enter the stronghold of the king of the north and will move against them successfully.

The new king of the south (Egypt) was Ptolemy III Euergetes. He was the brother of Berenice. He wanted to avenge the death of his sister, so he came with an army, killed Laodice, and captured Syria.

11:8 He will also take their gods into captivity to Egypt, along with their cast images and prized utensils of silver and gold. Then he will withdraw for some years from the king of the north.

Secular history recorded that Ptolemy III Euergetes plundered Syria by taking 4000 talents of gold, 40,000 talents of silver, and 2500 idols from Egypt.

11:9 Then the king of the north will advance against the empire of the king of the south, but will withdraw to his own land.

Seleucus II Callinicus (the king of the north) sought to invade Egypt (the king of the south), but he was unsuccessful. He fell from a horse and died.

11:10 His sons will wage war, mustering a large army which will advance like an overflowing river and carrying the battle all the way to the enemy’s fortress.

The Syrian King Callinicus was succeeded by his son, Seleucus II Soter. He was killed by conspirators while on a military campaign in Asia Minor (Turkey). Antiochus III the Great (the other brother) took over at 18 years of age and ruled for 36 years. He gathered a huge army.

The two sons invaded Asia Minor and Egypt.  Antiochus III succeeded in driving the Egyptians back to the southern borders of Israel in his military campaign in 219–217.

11:11 “Then the king of the south will be enraged and will march out to fight against the king of the north, who will also muster a large army, but that army will be delivered into his hand.

Egyptian Ptolemy IV Philopator was the king of the south. He was normally a lazy man who lived in luxury and pleasure. He became angry after Syrian Antiochus III (the king of the north) migrated into his land. Ptolemy IV Philopator amassed a large army of 70,000 foot soldiers, 5000 cavalry soldiers, and 73 armored elephants.  Syrian Antiochus III amassed a large army of 62,000 foot soldiers, 6000 cavalry soldiers, and 102 armored elephants. Ptolemy IV Philopator (the king of the south) attacked and defeated Syrian Antiochus III (the king of the north).

11:12 When the army is taken away, the king of the south will become arrogant. He will be responsible for the death of thousands and thousands of people, but he will not continue to prevail.

Egyptian Ptolemy IV Philpator (the king of the south) would become arrogant and kill thousands of Syrian soldiers. He took another 40,000 Syrian soldiers into captivity. Syria was left with a very small token army. Antiochus III was almost captured, but he fled to escape capture. Ptolemy IV Philopater could have pursued and captured the Syrian king, but he was too lazy to complete the conquest. He wanted to go back to his life of luxury as soon as possible. Therefore, the Egyptian control of Syria would be temporary.

11:13 For the king of the north will again muster an army, one larger than before. At the end of some years he will advance with a huge army and enormous supplies.

Syrian Antiochus III (the king of the north) would return with a larger army and defeat Egyptian Ptolemy IV Philopator (the king of the south). His army would be much larger than that of his former campaign.

11:14 “In those times many will oppose the king of the south. Those who are violent among your own people will rise up in confirmation of the vision, but they will falter.

Philip V of Macedonia joined with Syrian Antiochus III against Egypt. Many Jews joined Syrian Antiochus against Egypt, perhaps desiring to gain independence from both Egypt and Syria. However, they will combine and be unsuccessful.

11:15 Then the king of the north will advance and will build siege mounds and capture a well-fortified city. The forces of the south will not prevail, not even his finest contingents. They will have no strength to prevail.

Syrian Antiochus III (the king of the north) will defeat the Ptolomies of Egypt (the king of the south). Antiochus captured the fortified city of Sidon in 203 B.C. Egypt was completely defeated by Syria.

11:16 The one advancing against him will do as he pleases, and no one will be able to stand before him. He will prevail in the beautiful land, and its annihilation will be within his power.

The “beautiful land” was Israel. No one would be able to defeat Syrian Antiochus III the Great. Syria was now in control of Israel.

11:17 His intention will be to come with the strength of his entire kingdom, and he will form alliances. He will give the king of the south a daughter in marriage in order to destroy the kingdom, but it will not turn out to his advantage.

Syrian Antiochus III was being threatened by Rome. Therefore, he made a treaty with Egypt and gave his daughter Cleopatra to Egyptian Ptolemy Epiphanes in marriage. This marriage alliance did not bring peace between the two nations. Cleopatra sided with her Egyptian husband and not with her Syrian father. Cleopatra decided to side with Rome and not Syria.

11:18 Then he will turn his attention to the coastal regions and will capture many of them. But a commander will bring his shameful conduct to a halt; in addition, he will make him pay for his shameful conduct.

Syrian Antiochus III the Great (king of the north) will attack the coastal cities of Asia Minor and Greece in 197 B.C. Hannibal and his elephant cavalry will side with him. Antiochus III will be stopped by a Roman commander named Cornelius Scipio.  Scipio was the Roman general who defeated Hannibal and his elephant cavalry at Carthage. Rome was an up-and-coming nation at this time. Syria was forced to give up all of Asia Minor to Rome.

11:19 He will then turn his attention to the fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble and fall, not to be found again.

Syrian Antiochus III the Great (king of the north) attempted to rebuild Alexander’s empire, but failed. He returned to his own country in defeat in 188 B.C, He was forced to pay tribute to Rome.  He attempted to plunder a pagan temple to pay the Roman tribute. He was killed one year later while attempting to plunder the pagan temple. All of these consequences led to further Roman expansion.

11:20 There will arise after him one who will send out an exactor of tribute to enhance the splendor of the kingdom, but after a few days he will be destroyed, though not in anger or battle.

After Syrian Antiochus III the Great (king of the north) died, his son Seleucus IV Philopator (another king of the north) succeeded him. Rome forced Syria to pay 1,000 talents in taxes per year. Israel and the temple had been previously exempt from paying taxes to Syria. However, Seleucus IV Philopator inherited this tax burden from his father, To pay the heavy tribute to Rome, he began to heavily tax the Jewish people.  His father had reigned for 37 years. His son only reigned for 11 years. Seleucus did not die in battle. He was poisoned by his treasurer.

11:21 “Then there will arise in his place a despicable person to whom the royal honor has not been rightfully conferred. He will come on the scene in a time of prosperity and will seize the kingdom through deceit.

The “despicable person” was Syrian Antiochus IV. He was known as Antiochus Epiphanes, which means “the illustrious one.” Others called him Antiochus Epimanes, meaning “the mad one.” He seized the throne deceitfully from the rightful heir (Seleucus IV Philopator). He did this by hiring an assassin to kill the rightful king. Then, Antiochus Epiphanes killed the assassin so that he would not be blamed for the assassination.

11:22 Armies will be suddenly swept away in defeat before him; both they and a covenant leader will be destroyed.

Syrian Antiochus Epiphanes was accepted as king, because he was able to turn back an invading army (perhaps the Egyptians). Manaeus paid Antiochus Epiphanes for the position of the Jewish High Priest. Manaeus then killed the covenant leader of Israel (the high priest, Onias III). Antiochus Epiphanes then appointed Manaeus as the new High Priest of Israel.  This murder of a Jewish High Priest was a violation of the Abrahamic Covenant.

11:23 After entering into an alliance with him, he will behave treacherously; he will ascend to power with only a small force.

Syrian Antiochus Epiphanes developed an alliance with Egyptian Ptolemy VI Philopater over his rival Egyptian Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II. By this alliance, Antiochus secretly plotted to gain more power in Egypt. He raised up “a small force” and conquered Memphis and the rest of Egypt geographically all the way to Alexandria.

11:24 In a time of prosperity for the most productive areas of the province he will come and accomplish what neither his fathers nor their fathers accomplished. He will distribute loot, spoils, and property to his followers, and he will devise plans against fortified cities, but not for long.

Under the guise of peace and friendship, Syrian Antiochus Epiphanes plundered the rich and gave to the poor. His act of giving to the poor was a ploy for him to gain more power. He began to devise plans to take over the fortified cities of Egypt. His fathers used their plunder for luxury living. Antiochus Epiphanes used his plunder to bribe influential people to give him favors.

11:25 He will rouse his strength and enthusiasm against the king of the south with a large army. The king of the south will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he will not be able to prevail because of the plans devised against him.

Syrian Antiochus Epiphanes moved his large army against Egypt (the king of the south).

11:26 Those who share the king’s fine food will attempt to destroy him, and his army will be swept away; many will be killed in battle.

The counselors and advisors betrayed Antiochus Epiphanes.

11:27 These two kings, their minds filled with evil intentions, will trade lies with one another at the same table. But it will not succeed, for there is still an end at the appointed time.

Syrian Antiochus Epiphanes (the victor) and the pharaoh of Egypt (the vanquished) sat at a table together as though friendship had been established. They were both deceiving each other at the dinner table.

11:28 Then the king of the north will return to his own land with much property. His mind will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action, and then return to his own land.

Syrian Antiochus Epiphanes (the king of the north) plundered Egypt (the king of the south) and brought the wealth back to his homeland of Syria. On his return, he passed through Israel. Since he failed to take all of Egypt, he took out his frustrations on the Jews.  He desecrated the Jewish Temple, burned the Torah, and then returned back to his own land in Syria. He killed 80,000 Jews (men, women, and children). He also took away 40,000 Jews into slavery.

11:29 At an appointed time he will again invade the south, but this latter visit will not turn out the way the former one did.

Two years later (in 168 B.C.), Syrian Antiochus Epiphanes attacked Egypt (the South) for the third time, but he was not successful.

11:30 The ships of Kittim will come against him, leaving him disheartened. He will turn back and direct his indignation against the holy covenant. He will return and honor those who forsake the holy covenant.

The “ships of Kittim” were the Roman galley ships from Cyprus. Rome was the up-and-coming new world power at this time. The Roman senator Popillius Laenas took a letter to Syrian Antiochus Epiphanes, forbidding him to engage in war with Egypt. When Antiochus asked for more time to consider this request, the emissary drew a circle in the sand around Antiochus and demanded that he give his answer before he stepped out of the circle. Antiochus submitted to Rome’s demands, because he feared war with Rome. He was humiliated, so he returned back to his own land. On his way home, he stopped in Jerusalem once again and took out his frustrations upon the Jews.

11:31 His forces will rise up and profane the fortified sanctuary, stopping the daily sacrifice. In its place they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.

Antiochus Epiphanes sent his general Apollonius with 22,000 soldiers into Jerusalem on a supposed peace mission. The army attacked Jerusalem on the Sabbath, killed many of the Jewish people, took many women and children as slaves, and plundered and burned the city. He attempted to exterminate Judaism and Hellenize the Jews into the Greek language and culture. He forbid circumcision, the biblical festivals, and the reading of the Torah. He burned the copies of the Law. He then set up an altar to Jupiter in the Jewish temple. He offered a pig on the altar. The Jews were forced to offer a pig to Antiochus Epiphanes on the 25th day of each month to celebrate his birthday. The priests performed pagan sexual rituals in the temple.

11:32 Then with smooth words he will defile those who have rejected the covenant. But the people who are loyal to their God will act valiantly

Antiochus promised apostate Jews great rewards if they would set aside the God of Israel and instead worship Jupiter. Many in Israel were persuaded by his promises. However, a small remnant remained faithful to God. This believing remnant was called the Maccabees. They refused to engage in these abominable practices. The Maccabees won every single battle against Antiochus Epiphanes. Antiochus Epiphanes died insane in Persia in 163 B.C.

11:33 These who are wise among the people will teach the masses. However, they will fall by the sword and by the flame, and they will be imprisoned and plundered for some time.

The Maccabees continued to teach the Torah to the people. However, the Maccabees refused to fight on the Sabbath. Therefore, the Syrians attacked them on the Sabbath days and defeated them. The Jews who refused to submit to Antiochus Epiphanes were persecuted and martyred for their faith.

11:34 When they stumble, they will be granted some help. But many will unite with them deceitfully.

This help will come from Judas “the Hammer” Maccabees. Many Jews will join the Maccabean revolt. Some will join for pure motives, but many will join for impure motives.

11:35 Even some of the wise will stumble, resulting in their refinement, purification, and cleansing until the time of the end, for it is still for the appointed time.

Daniel was assured that this persecution would be fulfilled, but it would cause many Jews to suffer. Then, God gave the reason for suffering. This suffering would refine, purify, and cleanse the Jews. It will cause them to seek and call out for their Messiah. In the same way, suffering causes the Christian to seek and call out for God.

The “appointed time” is the prophetic future. It is important to note that Antiochus Epiphanes was a type of the Antichrist. What he did in the past, the Antichrist will repeat in the future at “the appointed time.”

It is important to note that verses 21-35 have been literally fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes, but verses 36-45 have never been fulfilled. Even Amillennialists and Postmillennialists admit that these verses have not been fulfilled.

For example, one unnamed Amillennial writer wrote “In short, while it is true that Antiochus Epiphanes fulfills in a general way the description given in these verses, there are discrepancies when it comes to the details regarding his religious practices.” (Daniel audio, Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum) Basically, the writer was admitting that verses 21-35 have been fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes, but verses 36-45 have not been fulfilled.

Another Amillennial writer wrote, “The historic position of the church is that these verses speak of the Antichrist,” (Daniel audio, Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum)

11:36 “Then the king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every deity and he will utter presumptuous things against the God of gods. He will succeed until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been decreed must occur.

Antiochus Epiphanes was a type of the Antichrist to come. This prophecy from verses 36-45 moves from Antiochus Epiphanes to the future Antichrist.

The future Antichrist “will do as he pleases.” He will not follow the will of God. He will follow his own will. He will become an absolute ruler. He will have no check and balance system in his one world government. During the middle of the Great Tribulation, the Antichrist will step into the Tribulation Temple and declare that he is God. He will speak blasphemies against God.

The Antichrist will succeed in his plans until “the time of wrath is completed.” The Hebrew for “time of wrath is completed” is זַ֔עַם כִּ֥י נֶחֱרָצָ֖ה (za-am ki nachrazah), meaning “the indignation which has been decreed by God.” This is one of the many names for the Great Tribulation. The “indignation” also has to do with the final holocaust which will be aimed at the Jewish population. During the last 3.5 years of the Great Tribulation, the Antichrist will attempt genocide on the Jewish population. According to Zechariah 13:8-9, the Antichrist will succeed in murdering 2/3 of the global Jewish population, but no more. This number and time of this Jewish genocide for 3.5 years by the Antichrist has been decreed by God, so it will happen.

11:37 He will not respect the gods of his fathers—not even the god loved by women. He will not respect any god; he will elevate himself above them all.

The Antichrist will not respect “the gods of his fathers.” The Hebrew for “gods” is אֱלֹהֵ֤י (elohi), meaning gods. The noun is plural and not singular. The King James version mistranslated אֱלֹהֵ֤י (elohi) as the singular “God” and not plural “gods.” Therefore, many commentators have used the King James English mistranslation to falsely claim that the Antichrist will be Jewish.

This verse does not mean that the Antichrist will be Jewish. It actually means the opposite. Since the Antichrist will be the final Gentile ruler of the Gentile world before the Messiah returns to establish the Messianic Kingdom, then “his fathers” must be Gentile as well. He is “the little horn” which grows out of the fourth kingdom (Rome), so his lineage must be Roman. The Antichrist will not respect the pagan gods of his father, grand-father, great-grand-father, etc. He will elevate himself above God by stepping into the Jewish Temple and proclaiming himself to be God.

The Antichrist will not respect “the god loved by women.” There were two major female cults during the days of Daniel. Tammuz was a Babylonian fertility cult. Adonis was a Greek fertility cult. In both of these fertility cults, women worshipped Mother Nature. In this cult, Mother Earth died in the winter and was resurrected in the spring. There are many modern feminists who still worship Mother Earth in similar ways. It is no accident that the feminist movement glorifies her own body over the life of an unborn child. The feminist is willing to fornicate and murder her child in the name of feminism. This verse could mean that the Antichrist did not respect this feministic cult.

Another possibility is that the Antichrist will reject the messianic hope of Israel. All Jewish women have desired to become the mother of the Messiah.

Satan hates women, because a woman brought the Messianic King into the world. Satan wants to turn women into men. This is one of the reasons that feminism is so strong in many cultures. Feminism is not God's goal for women. Wives are to be help-mates of husbands. Husbands are called to possess strong Bible doctrine and apply what they learn. Together, the husband and wife are to serve God as one in their divine calling.

11:38 What he will honor is a god of fortresses—a god his fathers did not acknowledge he will honor with gold, silver, valuable stones, and treasured commodities.

The Hebrew word for “honor” is כָּבַד (kavas), meaning to honor, glorify, or worship. The Antichrist will worship a god of fortresses, meaning that he will worship a god who promotes military strength. This god is Satan. The Gentiles worshipped Satan indirectly through demonic idols. The Antichrist will worship Satan openly and directly.

The Antichrist will be so strong politically, that he will be able to corner the gold, silver, and mineral markets. While everyone else in the Great Tribulation is living in poverty, the Antichrist will be the wealthiest man in the world.

11:39 He will attack mighty fortresses, aided by a foreign deity. To those who recognize him he will grant considerable honor. He will place them in authority over many people, and he will parcel out land for a price.

The “foreign deity” whom the Antichrist will worship will be Satan. The Antichrist will be energized by Satan to conquer the entire world.  The Antichrist will come to power supernaturally. He will offer peace through a covenant with Israel. However, he will break the covenant and use his supernatural military power to expand his dominion over the ten regions of the earth. He will also use his demonic powers to murder the Jewish population.

The Hebrew for “recognize” is נָכַר (nakar), meaning to recognize the identity claim of the Antichrist. The Antichrist will step into the Jewish temple at the 3.5 year mark of the Great Tribulation and claim that he is God. Those who worship the Antichrist and submit to his authority will be placed in positions of power. He will give them power and land for their worship. Many will accept the “mark of the beast” and worship him. This mark of the beast will most likely be a brand or tattoo, meaning that those marked by the beast are owned by the Antichrist. Just as a rancher brands his cattle, the Antichrist will brand his sheep.

11:40 “At the time of the end the king of the south will attack him. Then the king of the north will storm against him with chariots, horsemen, and a large armada of ships. He will invade lands, passing through them like an overflowing river.

The “time of the end” is the end of the Great Tribulation. Egypt (the king of the south) will attack the Antichrist with a large army and navy. Egypt may be one of the ten geographical regions which will be controlled by one of the regional ten kings.

Many commentators falsely claim that “the king of the north” will be Russia. Some commentators attempt to place the Gog and Magog invasion of Ezekiel 38-39 at this time. However, this is simply not the case.

The king of the “uttermost” north is Russia. It is a different Hebrew word. The Gog and Magog invasion must occur sometime before the Great Tribulation, because it takes seven years to bury the dead Russian soldiers and burn their weapons. The Jews living in Israel will not be able to bury Russian soldiers and burn weapons during the last half of the Great Tribulation, because they will either be getting murdered by the Antichrist or escaping his wrath by hiding in Petra.

In this chapter, “the king of the north” has always been Syria. There is no reason to make verse 40 the one exception. Egypt and Syria will be two of the ten regions who will attack the Antichrist.

11:41 Then he will enter the beautiful land. Many will fall, but these will escape: Edom, Moab, and the Ammonite leadership.

The “beautiful land” is Israel. When the Antichrist hears of this invasion from Egypt, he will move his army from Europe into the Middle East. He will conquer Israel and all of his enemies, except for Edom, Moab, and the Ammonites.

Revelation 11 gives more details of this invasion. The nation of Israel has been in existence since 1948, but the nation will fall to the Antichrist. One third of the Jews will run and escape to Petra. The Gentiles will control the Jewish Temple ground for the last 42 months of the Great Tribulation. This means that the Times of the Gentiles did not end in 1967. The city, nation, and temple grounds will be taken by Gentiles once again.

This invasion will cause the Antichrist to step into the Jewish Temple and declare that he is God. He will set up the abomination of desolation in the Jewish temple for the last 3.5 years of the Great Tribulation.

Edom, Moab, and Ammon no longer exist as nations. Their former regions are now largely the mountainous desert wilderness of Jordan.

It is interesting to note that throughout history, the Jews have always been persecuted and driven out of Gentile lands. However, God always opens up new safe havens for the Jews. For example, Spain, Portugal, and other European nations began expelling the Jews in 1492. It was no accident that America was discovered this same year.  Many of the Jews fled the persecutions of Catholic Europe and headed to America. As long as America provides safe haven to the Jews, she will be blessed by the Abrahamic Covenant. Therefore, it is important for the American electorate to elect politicians who will bless Israel. Otherwise, anti-Semitic American politicians will bring the Abrahamic curses upon their nation.

The point is that when the Antichrist begins his genocide program on the Jews, then Jordan will become the next safe Jewish haven. One third of the Jews will flee from Israel and hide in Petra. Petra is located in Edom (southern Jordan). Petra will become a future city of refuge for the Jews.

11:42 He will extend his power against other lands; the land of Egypt will not escape.

The Antichrist will go to war against the ten kings of the ten regions. Three of these regional kings will be destroyed. The other seven kings will submit to the Antichrist. Egypt will be one of the three kings who will be destroyed by the armies of the Antichrist.

11:43 He will have control over the hidden stores of gold and silver, as well as all the treasures of Egypt. Libyans and Ethiopians will submit to him.

The armies of the Antichrist will plunder Egypt.  The Antichrist will corner the gold, silver, and mineral markets of Egypt. Afterwards, he will defeat and plunder Africa (Libya and Ethiopia) of her natural resources. The man who controls iron can mass produce weapons for himself, but deny these natural resources to his enemies.

11:44 But reports will trouble him from the east and north, and he will set out in a tremendous rage to destroy and wipe out many.

The Antichrist will gather intelligence reports about attacks from the east and north. The east in the Bible is not China, but Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia is currently the nations of Iran and Iraq. The three kings that the Antichrist will succeed in killing will be the king of the north (Syria), the king of the south (Egypt) and the king of the east (Mesopotamia).

11:45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas toward the beautiful holy mountain. But he will come to his end, with no one to help him.

The Antichrist will occupy Israel and pitch his royal tents between the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The royal tent is the tent of a general. It is placed strategically in a military camp.

The Hebrew for “towards the beautiful holy mountain” is הַר־צְבִי־קֹ֑דֶשׁ (har tsabi kodesh), meaning “in the holy mountain.” The “beautiful holy mountain” is the temple Mount. During the last 3.5 years of the Great Tribulation, the Antichrist will control Jerusalem and the Temple compound. This will be the time that the Antichrist sets up his abomination of desolation in the Temple, causing one third of the Jews to flee to Petra.

The Antichrist will come to exterminate the Jews so that she cannot cry out for her Messiah. The Jews are the wife of Jehovah. She will cry out to her husband “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” The Lord Jesus Christ will return and defeat the Antichrist. Satan will not be able to help the Antichrist against Jesus. Jesus will kill the Antichrist and throw him and the false prophet into the Lake of Fire. Jesus will throw Satan into the Abyss for 1,000 years.