chapter 11

Summary and Key Events

The fulfilments for this revelation/prophecy is debated. Generally, most of it is understood as being fulfilled in the couple of centuries of power struggle following the death of Alexander the Great. The dispute is whether the latter portion refers to (a) king Antiochus IV Epiphanes who killed many Jews in Jerusalem and set up idols in the temple, (b) the Roman empire’s role in the execution of Jesus and the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in 70 AD, (c) future events that will happen when Jesus returns, or (d) a combination of these with foreshadowing and complete fulfillments.

Don’t get lost in the details in this brief study of Daniel chapter 11. The prophecy in this chapter provide such sufficient description that historians and Bible scholars readily identify kings in history from the time of Xerxes (ca. 480 BC) until the time of Antiochus IV (ca. 165 BC). Over 100 details in this chapter was fulfilled in his the centuries of war, alliances, betrayals, and shifting dominance between these two powers.  God knew the future far in advance and assures us that his kingdom will prevail.

Key Verse

11:35 Some of the wise will fall so that they may be refined, purified, and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.