Daniel 11:1-2
In the first year of Darius the Mede, I arose to be an encouragement and a protection for him. And now I will tell you the truth. Behold, three more kings are going to arise in Persia. Then a fourth will gain far more riches than all of them; as soon as he becomes strong through his riches, he will arouse the whole empire against the realm of Greece.

† The angel continues from chapter 10, assuring Daniel that divine purpose directs the rise of nations.
† Historically, the three kings after Cyrus were Cambyses, Pseudo-Smerdis, and Darius I; the fourth, Xerxes I, provoked Greece.
† Prophetically, Persia's aggression begins the sequence leading to Greece's dominance under Alexander.
† Jerome noted that the angel's precision proved prophecy's reliability.
† In the fulfilled kingdom, these empires testify that God rules over all human history.

Daniel 11:3-4
Then a mighty king will arise, and he will rule with great authority and do as he pleases. But as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four points of the compass, though not to his own descendants, nor according to his authority which he wielded, for his sovereignty will be uprooted and given to others besides them.

† The "mighty king" is Alexander the Great, whose empire swiftly conquered Persia.
† Historically, his realm was divided among four generals after his death in 323 BC.
† Prophetically, this sets the stage for the northern and southern kingdoms that affect Israel's land.
† Josephus confirmed the Jews welcomed Alexander, who spared Jerusalem.
† In the fulfilled kingdom, earthly power rises and falls, but Christ's reign endures.

Daniel 11:5-6
Then the king of the South will grow strong, along with one of his princes who will gain ascendancy over him and obtain dominion; his domain will be a great dominion indeed. After some years they will form an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the South will come to the king of the North to carry out a peaceful arrangement. But she will not retain her position of power, nor will he remain with his power, but she will be given up, along with those who brought her in and the one who sired her and he who supported her in those times.

† The "king of the South" refers to Ptolemy I of Egypt; the "king of the North" to Seleucus I of Syria.
† Historically, Ptolemy's daughter Berenice married Antiochus II to secure peace, but she and her supporters were murdered, reigniting conflict.
† Prophetically, these struggles show how alliances fail apart from divine will.
† Jerome identified this prophecy as proof of scripture's historical accuracy.
† In the fulfilled kingdom, temporary treaties are replaced by Christ's eternal peace.

Daniel 11:7-9
But one of the descendants of her line will arise in his place, and he will come against their army and enter the fortress of the king of the North, and he will deal with them and display great strength. Also, their gods with their metal images and their precious vessels of silver and gold he will take into captivity to Egypt, and he on his part will refrain from attacking the king of the North for some years. Then the latter will enter the realm of the king of the South, but will return to his own land.

† Ptolemy III, Berenice's brother, avenged her death by invading Syria.
† Historically, he captured great wealth and returned to Egypt triumphantly.
† Prophetically, this shows divine justice executed among earthly kingdoms.
† Jerome said the detail of looted idols proved the literal accuracy of prophecy.
† In the fulfilled kingdom, vengeance belongs to God alone, and His justice prevails.

Daniel 11:10-12
His sons will mobilize and assemble a multitude of great forces, and one of them will keep on coming and overflow and pass through, that he may again wage war up to his very fortress. Then the king of the South will be enraged and go forth and fight with the king of the North. Then the latter will raise a great multitude, but that multitude will be given into the hand of the former. When the multitude is carried away, his heart will be lifted up, and he will cause tens of thousands to fall; yet he will not prevail.

† The sons of Seleucus II were Seleucus III and Antiochus III, who sought to retake lost territory.
† Historically, Antiochus III fought Ptolemy IV but was defeated at Raphia.
† Prophetically, these wars represent the ongoing struggle between North and South before Rome's rise.
† Eusebius noted that even victories of kings end in pride and downfall.
† In the fulfilled kingdom, earthly pride collapses under Christ's eternal authority.

Daniel 11:13-15
For the king of the North will again raise a greater multitude than the former, and after an interval of some years he will press on with a great army and much equipment. Now in those times many will rise up against the king of the South; the violent ones among your people will also lift themselves up in order to fulfill the vision, but they will fall down. Then the king of the North will come, cast up a siege ramp, and capture a well-fortified city; and the forces of the South will not stand their ground, not even their choicest troops, for there will be no strength to make a stand.

† Antiochus III renewed his campaigns and gained the upper hand over Egypt.
† Historically, this refers to the Battle of Panium in 198 BC, when the Seleucids captured Judea.
† Prophetically, this signified Judea's subjection to foreign rule until Christ.
† Jerome said these shifts of power fulfilled the words exactly as Daniel foresaw.
† In the fulfilled kingdom, the nations serve under the dominion of Christ, not earthly kings.

Daniel 11:16-17
But he who comes against him will do as he pleases, and no one will be able to withstand him; he will also stay for a time in the Beautiful Land, with destruction in his hand. He will set his face to come with the power of his whole kingdom, bringing with him a proposal of peace which he will put into effect; he will also give him the daughter of women to ruin it. But she will not take a stand for him or be on his side.

† Antiochus III conquered Judea, called “the Beautiful Land,” symbolizing Israel's territory.
† Historically, he tried to ally with Egypt by giving his daughter Cleopatra to Ptolemy V.
† Prophetically, his deceit failed, showing how man's plans oppose divine purpose.
† Jerome confirmed Cleopatra sided with Egypt, not her father.
† In the fulfilled kingdom, deceit and manipulation are replaced by the truth of Christ's reign.

Daniel 11:18-19
Then he will turn his face to the coastlands and capture many. But a commander will put a stop to his scorn against him; moreover, he will repay him for his scorn. So he will turn his face toward the fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble and fall and be found no more.

† Antiochus III attempted to invade Greece but was defeated by the Romans under Lucius Scipio.
† Historically, he retreated to his own land and was later killed in Persia.
† Prophetically, this fall marks the decline of the Seleucid power.
† Eusebius wrote that arrogance against Rome fulfilled Daniel's vision of downfall.
† In the fulfilled kingdom, all proud rulers fall, but Christ's kingdom endures forever.

Daniel 11:20
Then in his place one will arise who will send an oppressor through the Jewel of his kingdom; yet within a few days he will be shattered, though not in anger nor in battle.

† This refers to Seleucus IV, who taxed heavily to pay Rome's tribute.
† Historically, he sent his treasurer Heliodorus to plunder the temple in Jerusalem.
† Prophetically, this represents the corruption that provoked divine judgment.
† Jerome said Seleucus' mysterious death was divine retribution for defiling sacred things.
† In the fulfilled kingdom, Christ alone is the true temple that cannot be plundered.

Daniel 11:21-22
In his place a despicable person will arise, on whom the honor of kingship has not been conferred, but he will come in a time of tranquility and seize the kingdom by intrigue. The overflowing forces will be flooded away before him and shattered, and also the prince of the covenant.

† The “despicable person” is Antiochus IV Epiphanes, infamous for persecuting the Jews.
† Historically, he usurped the throne and attacked the high priesthood in Jerusalem.
† Prophetically, his acts foreshadowed the abomination that causes desolation.
† Josephus records Antiochus' cruelty and defilement of the altar.
† In the fulfilled kingdom, persecution gives way to the triumph of the saints through Christ.

Daniel 11:23-24
After an alliance is made with him, he will practice deception, and he will go up and gain power with a small force of people. In a time of tranquility he will enter the richest parts of the realm, and he will accomplish what his fathers never did, nor his ancestors; he will distribute plunder, booty, and possessions among them, and he will devise his schemes against strongholds, but only for a time.

† Antiochus IV deceived his allies and strengthened himself through manipulation and bribery.
† Historically, he redistributed wealth to secure loyalty.
† Prophetically, his reign illustrates the temporary nature of deceitful power.
† Jerome said that even his successes were limited by God's decree.
† In the fulfilled kingdom, deceit ends, and justice reigns under the eternal King.

Daniel 11:25-27
He will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South with a large army; so the king of the South will mobilize an extremely large and mighty army for war; but he will not stand, for schemes will be devised against him. Those who eat his choice food will destroy him, and his army will overflow, but many will fall down slain. As for both kings, their hearts will be intent on evil, and they will speak lies to each other at the same table; but it will not succeed, for the end is still to come at the appointed time.

† Antiochus IV waged war against Egypt and triumphed through deceit.
† Historically, Ptolemy VI was betrayed by his own counselors.
† Prophetically, the lying kings reflect the futility of human schemes.
† Eusebius noted that prophecy exposes both rulers as tools of divine providence.
† In the fulfilled kingdom, truth and righteousness have replaced deceitful thrones.

Daniel 11:28-30
Then he will return to his land with much plunder; but his heart will be set against the holy covenant, and he will take action and then return to his own land. At the appointed time he will return and come into the South, but this last time it will not turn out the way it did before. For ships of Kittim will come against him; therefore he will be disheartened and will return and become enraged at the holy covenant and take action; so he will come back and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant.

† Antiochus' rage turned toward Jerusalem after Roman forces (ships of Kittim) repelled him.
† Historically, this refers to the intervention of Rome in 168 BC.
† Prophetically, his wrath against the covenant people fulfills the pattern of persecution before redemption.
† Jerome explained that those who forsook the covenant joined Antiochus in desecrating the temple.
† In the fulfilled kingdom, external persecution could not destroy God's true spiritual temple.

Daniel 11:31-32
Forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation. By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.

† Antiochus IV desecrated the temple by offering swine on the altar and erecting an idol to Zeus.
† Historically, this led to the Maccabean revolt.
† Prophetically, Jesus later referred to this same event as typifying Jerusalem's coming destruction in AD 70.
† Eusebius identified Antiochus as the prototype of the final persecutor.
† In the fulfilled kingdom, the true sacrifice is complete in Christ, ending all temple offerings.

Daniel 11:33-35
Those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many; yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder for many days. Now when they fall they will be granted a little help, and many will join with them in hypocrisy. Some of those who have insight will fall, in order to refine, purge, and make them pure until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time.

† The wise among Israel suffered but strengthened others through their witness.
† Historically, faithful Jews endured martyrdom under Antiochus' oppression.
† Prophetically, these trials refined the faithful before the new covenant's arrival.
† Jerome wrote that purification comes through suffering ordained by God.
† In the fulfilled kingdom, suffering produces maturity and spiritual victory through Christ.

Daniel 11:36-39
Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done. He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the desire of women, nor will he show regard for any other god; for he will magnify himself above them all. But instead he will honor a god of fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know; he will honor him with gold, silver, costly stones, and treasures. He will take action against the strongest of fortresses with the help of a foreign god; he will give great honor to those who acknowledge him and will cause them to rule over the many and will parcel out land for a price.

† This section portrays Antiochus IV's pride and self-deification.
† Historically, he declared himself “God Manifest” and enforced Hellenistic worship.
† Prophetically, his arrogance typified the ultimate rebellion that ended with the old covenant age.
† Hippolytus saw Antiochus' fall as the foreshadowing of the final judgment upon apostate Jerusalem.
† In the fulfilled kingdom, pride and blasphemy are silenced under the rule of Christ.

Daniel 11:40-45
At the end time the king of the South will collide with him, and the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, with horsemen, and with many ships; and he will enter countries, overflow them and pass through. He will also enter the Beautiful Land, and many countries will fall; but these will be rescued out of his hand: Edom, Moab, and the foremost of the sons of Ammon. Then he will stretch out his hand against other countries, and the land of Egypt will not escape. But he will gain control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver and over all the precious things of Egypt; and Libyans and Ethiopians will follow at his heels. But rumors from the East and from the North will disturb him, and he will go forth with great wrath to destroy and annihilate many. He will pitch the tents of his royal pavilion between the seas and the beautiful Holy Mountain; yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.

† Antiochus' final campaign into Egypt failed; he died suddenly in Persia.
† Historically, this marks the close of Seleucid dominance.
† Prophetically, his downfall symbolizes the end of human rebellion before divine rule.
† Eusebius said his death prefigured the destruction of Jerusalem's persecutors.
† In the fulfilled kingdom, all earthly empires end, but Christ's dominion is everlasting.

How it applies to us today

† Daniel 11 traces the rise and fall of empires under divine control.
† Every conflict and betrayal fulfilled prophecy, proving God's sovereignty.
† The abomination of desolation was historically fulfilled, ending temple worship.
† The faithful were refined to usher in the new covenant through Christ.
† We now live in the everlasting peace of His fulfilled kingdom.

† This is the fulfilled perspective we proclaim at Fulfilled Prophecies †
© Fulfilled Prophecies - Dan Maines.

Source Index
† The Holy Bible, NASB
† Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book 12
† Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, Book 9
† Tertullian, Against Marcion, Book 4
† Clement of Rome, 1 Clement
† Jerome, Commentary on Daniel
† Theodotion, Greek Version of Daniel
† Hippolytus, Commentary on Daniel