Daniel and Revelation
Chapter 8
Daniel 11 - The Day of the Lord Begins

The Islamic Antichrist will attack Egypt and the other more southern
Islamic nations that have not joined the Turkey-based Islamic Caliphate.

The time of the end is spoken of in Daniel 11.  This chapter, right up to verse 35, is fulfilled prophecy that gives very accurate details from Alexander the Great down to Antiochus Epiphanes, who in 168 BC sacked Jerusalem and set up the abomination of desolation, spoken of in this verse:

Daniel 11:31 Forces shall stand on his part, and they shall profane the sanctuary, even the fortress, and shall take away the continual burnt offering, and they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.

Then, verse 35 gives us an indication that the prophecy jumps to the time of the end.  After this point, the rest of the prophecy has not yet been fulfilled.  But we can expect the rest of the prophecy to be fulfilled just as accurately as the verses prior to verse 35.  One could say the prophecy jumps from one abomination of desolation to the next.  Later on in the prophecy, Daniel 12:11 tells us about the abomination of desolation that is yet to come.

Daniel 11:35 ESV and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time.

The end is the end of the seventy weeks.  It's the end of this present age.  It's the appointed time when the Messiah comes.  Notice that in Daniel 9, the week of the covenant in Daniel 9:27 comes after the end spoken of in Daniel 9:26b (quoted below).  So the week of the covenant is after the seventy weeks are finished.  The week of Daniel 9:27 is not one of the seventy weeks.  It's an additional week that is given by Christ because he returns and yet his Bride is not yet ready.  So the week of the covenant is the start of the age to come.  

Notice that in Daniel 11:35 (quoted above), the wise are “refined, purified, and made white until the time of the end."  Compare this with the purpose statement that is given for the seventy weeks.

Daniel 9:24 ESV "Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression , to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.

This helps us in connecting the "end" that is given in Daniel 9:26b with the "end" that is given in Daniel 11:35.  Both are talking about the end of the seventy weeks.  Both are talking about the allotment of time that is given for Israel to stop sinning.  After the allotment of time given to overcome sin, at the "appointed time" (Daniel 8:19, 11:35), the Messiah comes.  After that, the start of the week of the covenant is also the start of the millennium.

Daniel 9:26b ESVIts end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed.

Daniel 9:27 ESV And he [the anointed one] shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the weekhe [the prince] shall put an end to sacrifice and offering.  And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator."

You see, verse 27 is after the end of the seventy weeks (by context).  But there is another end, which is an end to the desolator (antichrist).  So the entire week of the covenant can be considered to be the end.  In another sense, the end of the time for Christians to overcome sin is extended for another week.  In the middle of that week the antichrist (false prophet) stops the sacrifice and sets up the abomination of desolation.  This second half of the week is the time when the antichrist (global ruler) will rule over every nation, tribe, people, and language for 42 months (Revelation 13:5-7).  

Daniel 12 is a continuation of the same vision that we read about in Daniel 11.  In Daniel 12:11, we are told that from the abomination there will be 1290 days.  What happens at the end of the 1290 days?  By context, we can see it in Daniel 12:1-2.  After the great tribulation is the resurrection.  Thus, the resurrection is on the "last day" (John 6:39-40, 6:44, 6:54, 7:37, 11:24, 12:48) of the 1290 days, from the abomination of desolation, during which the antichrist(s) will rule the world.

Daniel 12:1-3 "At that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book.  (2)  Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.  (3)  Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.

Daniel 12:11 From the time that the continual burnt offering shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred ninety days.

Now let's go back to Daniel 11:35.  This is the time-jump to the time of the end.

Daniel 11:35 ESV and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time.

After the end of the seventy weeks is the appointed time of the end.  It's the time when the Messiah comes.  But very few of the Bride are ready.  Very few find the narrow gate that leads to eternal life.  So after the end of the seventy weeks Christ confirms a "covenant with many," for one more week, in order that the "many" can get ready to reign with Christ.  The first half of this week would be the events from Daniel 11:35 until Daniel 12:1.  So what is the first thing we read that happens at the time of the end?

Daniel 11:36 The king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods; and he shall prosper until the indignation be accomplished; for that which is determined shall be done.

This sounds very much like they way Daniel 9:27 concludes:

Daniel 9:27b ESV And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator."

In other words, Daniel 11:36 introduces us to the end-times antichrist.  And the first thing said about him is that he magnifies himself over God and speaks boastful things against God.  The blasphemies of the antichrist only make sense when one realizes that it's being done after the New Jerusalem appears.  The world is terrified.  Without the appearance of the New Jerusalem, the world would just laugh at the blasphemies.  But since the world is terrified at Christ's appearance, the world will join the antichrist in his bold blasphemies.  The antichrist makes use of this terror to speak against Christ and those who dwell in heaven (Revelation 13:5-7).  Those who dwell in heaven are those living in the New Jerusalem.

These blasphemies of the antichrist (global ruler) are also given by Paul as the way we are to recognize the antichrist.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 ESV Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, (2) not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. (3) Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, (4)who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

Is there any doubt that Paul had Daniel 11:36 in mind when he wrote these words?  The "Day of the Lord" (verse 2) begins after the end of this present age.  It's after the seventy weeks.  The "Day of the Lord" begins at the "appointed time," after the New Jerusalem appears.  The "day of the Lord" is the millennium that begins with the "blessed hope" of Christ's appearance.

Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ ;

The Old Testament talks a lot about the "Day of the Lord."  Remember that the sixth seal is when the New Jerusalem appears.  This happen when we will see the signs in the sun, moon, and stars.  The signs in the sun, moon, and stars are before the Day of the Lord begins.  I believe the New Jerusalem appears six months before the Day of the Lord begins.

Acts 2:19-21 I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and billows of smoke.  (20) The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.  (21) It will be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

Joel 2:30-32 I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood, fire, and pillars of smoke.   (31) The sun will be turned into darkness , and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of Yahweh comes.  (32) It will happen that whoever will call on the name of Yahweh shall be saved; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, as Yahweh has said, and among the remnant, those whom Yahweh calls.

Isaiah 13:6-11 Wail; for the day of Yahweh is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty.   (7) Therefore all hands will be feeble, and everyone's heart will melt.  (8) They will be dismayed. Pangs and sorrows will seize them. They will be in pain like a woman in labor. They will look in amazement one at another. Their faces will be faces of flame.  (9) Behold, the day of Yahweh comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger; to make the land a desolation, and to destroy its sinners out of it.  (10) For the stars of the sky and its constellations will not give their light. The sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine .  (11) I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity. I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will humble the haughtiness of the terrible.

Amos 5:18-20 "Woe to you who desire the day of Yahweh! Why do you long for the day of Yahweh? It is darkness, and not light.  (19) As if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him; Or he went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall, and a snake bit him.  (20)  Won't the day of Yahweh be darkness, and not light? Even very dark, and no brightness in it?

John 9:3-4 Jesus answered, "Neither did this man sin, nor his parents; but, that the works of God might be revealed in him.  (4) I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.

Malachi 4:4-6 "Remember the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded to him in Horeb for all Israel, even statutes and ordinances.  (5) Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Yahweh comes.  (6) He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse."

Let's look back as 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4:

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 ESV Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,   (4) who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

The Day of the Lord cannot come until the man of lawlessness is revealed.  He is revealed by his blasphemies.  The antichrist is further reveled when the abomination of desolation is set up in the middle of the seven years.  The temple will probably not be built until the first half of the week of the covenant.  And the man of lawlessness cannot set himself up in the temple until the temple is built.  Also, immediately after these verses, Paul tells us that the restrainer prevents the man of lawlessness from being revealed.

2 Thessalonians 2:5-6 ESV Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?   (6) And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.

As we have already discussed, Michael is the restrainer that holds back the antichrist from ruling the world.  This will continue until the start of the tribulation.  The antichrist will not rule the globe until after the abomination of desolation.  At that point in time, we will know for absolute certain who the antichrist, the global ruler, will be.  But before that, we can get a really good idea because he will probably blaspheme those who live in heaven.

First, the New Jerusalem will appear and stop the attack on Israel prophesied in Ezekiel 38.  This terrifies the world.  The world will then be told that Christ has returned and that he protects Israel.  This terrifies the world even more.  If it were just aliens, much of the world would assume that the aliens come in peace.  But the world really doesn’t want to hear that Jesus Christ will have really returned and is getting ready to set up his kingdom.  After the New Jerusalem appears, there is silence in heaven for perhaps six months.  Everyone is waiting for the appointed time, which is the Day of the Lord, to begin.  But one or more people will come against Christ and start blaspheming Christ and those who live in heaven.  This is the start of the rebellion that will come.  This is the spirit of antichrist.  This will give us a good indication as to who the global ruler might be.

Six months later the Day of the Lord begins and the two witnesses begin to prophesy.  So the Day of the Lord will not come until after the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed through his blasphemies.  But we might not know for sure who he will be until the middle of the seven-year covenant, when he sets himself up in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

OK, now back to Daniel 11.  The next verse in Daniel speaks further to the pride of the antichrist (global ruler) who magnifies himself above all gods.

Daniel 11:37 Neither shall he regard the gods of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall magnify himself above all.

This verse says the antichrist will "magnify himself above all."  This is a continuation of the pride of the global ruler.  Remember that verse 36 starts out with, "The king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god."  To "magnify himself above all" (verse 37) simply echoes this primary characteristic of the global ruler which Paul calls "the man of lawlessness."  Again, Paul calls him that because he does anything he pleases according to his own will.

Joel Richardson believes the "gods of his fathers" is a common Old Testament term that is a reference to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  But in this case, that would not mean the antichrist is Jewish.  I think Richardson is correct.  Richardson also states the "desire of women" is a Hebrew phrase that relates to the Messiah.  In other words, Hebrew women desired to be the mother of the Messiah.  Again, I think Richardson is correct.  So the antichrist rejects the God of the Christians and Jews as well as Jesus being the Messiah, the son of Mary and the Son of God.  We certainly know that Islam rejects Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

Daniel 11:38-39 But in his place shall he honor the god of fortresses; and a god whom his fathers didn't know shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.   (39) He shall deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god: whoever acknowledges him he will increase with glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for a price.

The verse seems to be saying that the antichrist is actually able to defeat strong fortresses with the help of a god.  The antichrist will have military powers with the help of a foreign god.  Remember that the New Jerusalem does not come from the nineteenth century invention of a "spiritual realm."  Heaven is the universe.  It's what we see when we look at the sky.  The angels are men that are not from this world.  They are aliens.  But what about the demons?  Would not the demons also be from other worlds?  Would not the demons also posses UFOs or other spaceship vessels?  Verse 39 says the antichrist gets help from a "foreign god."  Would not demons be "alien gods?"

Also, when Michael takes a stand and there is a war in heaven we know that he is fighting demonic forces.  In many respects, Daniel 8 is a condensed version of Daniel 11.  Both work their way through history from Alexander the Great down to Antiochus Epiphanes.  Both speak of the abomination of desolation.  In Daniel 8, the forces of the antichrist, to some degree, even defeat the angelic forces in heaven.  Therefore, so some degree, the antichrist is given the literal military power of UFOs and alien forces.

Daniel 8:10-11 ESV It grew great, even to the host of heaven. And some of the host and some of the stars it threw down to the ground and trampled on them.   (11) It became great, even as great as the Prince of the host. And the regular burnt offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown.

I think the antichrist is able to use this demonic alien UFO military power in order to secure his global reign.  It's like the states of the United States which are now subject, for all practical purposes, to the rule of the federal government, as enforced by the US military.  The states do not have the option to secede.

Some countries might turn over their sovereignty without really it realizing it at first.  Others will refuse and force the antichrist to take military action.  If the antichrist has access to military powers from "alien gods," it's much more likely that he will be able to get all the countries of the globe to unite into one government.  Even the threat of military action from (demonic) UFOs would be enough for most to turn over their sovereignty.

When talking about UFOs, many will bring up the verse, "As it was in the days of Noah."  A number of books have been written about the return of the Nephilim and alien abductions.  I think it's entirely possible that people are being abducted by demonic aliens.  But I do not share in the idea that Jesus was saying these type of events from the days of Noah would happen again.  Let's look at the verse in context.

Matthew 24:36-39 ESV "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.  (37) For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.   (38) For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,  (39) and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

I cringe every time I hear some guy introducing his book or DVD by saying that he always wondered what Jesus meant by, "As it was in the days of Noah."  Then they say, let's look back at what Genesis says about the days of Noah.  This is taking the verse way out of context.  Jesus was simply saying that the coming of the Son of Man would be at a time when the world does not expect it to happen.  (The New Jerusalem will appear at a time when the world is not expecting it to happen.)  He's not saying that there are other parallels between the two time periods.  Any other possible parallels are pure speculation, and should not be presented as fulfillment of this verse.  When this is their very first verse used to make their case, and it's so obviously taken out of context, I tend to not buy the book.  Nevertheless, for Scriptural reasons completely unrelated to this verse, I believe some of the UFOs are in fact controlled by demonic aliens.  

Ok, now back to Daniel 11.  Starting with verse 40, there is a bit of controversy.  First of all, the verse begins with, "At the time of the end."  So it can be talking about a slightly different topic or time.  Secondly, the terminology goes back to the "king of the north" and the "king of the south."  This terminology was used earlier in the vision when it was talking about two of the four kingdoms of Alexander’s generals after his death.  The king of the south was the Ptolemaic kingdom, which was basically Egypt.  The king of the north was the Seleucid Empire, over which Antiochus Epiphanes reigned.

Antiochus led two wars against Egypt.  Antiochus set up an abomination of desolation (Daniel 11:31).  The prophecy jumps from the time of that abomination to the end-times abomination of desolation.  Most Bible scholars agree that Antiochus Epiphanes is a type for the antichrist.  The abomination of desolation is not the only thing that will be repeated.  Apparently this conflict between the Seleucid Empire (Turkey or Syria) and the Ptolemaic kingdom (Egypt) will resume in the end times.  We are starting to see the beginnings of that in the Arab Springs.

Daniel 11:40 At the time of the end shall the king of the south contend with him; and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass through.

As stated earlier, there is a bit of controversy here.  Verses 36 to 39 are clearly talking about the man of lawlessness, who will rule the world.  Is the man of lawlessness the same king as the king of the north?  If the king of the north is not the antichrist, then there is a big problem.

Many dispensationalists say the king of the north is destroyed before the great tribulation.  Why would the king of the north, who is associated with Antiochus Epiphanes, be out of the picture before the great tribulation begins?  Didn't Antiochus Epiphanes set up the abomination of desolation in Daniel 11:31?  If so, then why is there a prophetic connection between Antiochus Epiphanes and the abomination of desolation associated with the antichrist?

The reason for their argument is they believe the Muslims will be defeated before the antichrist reigns.  They believe the antichrist comes from a revived Roman Empire, with the world government rising out of Europe, which is west.  But the king of the north is clearly from the north, as was Antiochus Epiphanes.  The king of the north is not from Europe.  Dispensationalists equate this battle to be about the same time as Ezekiel 38-39.  This is said to be pre-tribulation for the same reason.  They need to get the Muslims out of the picture before we would see a world government rising out of Europe.  To make this case, the king of the north fights with the king of the south and basically they annihilate each other.

There is also a two-king view that states the king of the north is the same person as the man of lawlessness.  The problem with this view is that it does not read naturally.  The text describes the king who does as he wills.  Then verse 40 has a transitional phrase, "At the time of the end."  After that, the text begins to refer to the two kings as the king of the north and the king of the south.  If the king of the north is the same as the king of verses 36 to 39, why does the text not begin by calling him the king of the north?

An alternative view is to consider that there are two beasts in Revelation 13.  The second beast is later referred to as the false prophet.  We have assumed that the false prophet is simply the antichrist's side-kick, and that he is not mentioned in Bible prophecy prior to Revelation.  However, when Christ defeats the antichrist at Armageddon, both the beast and the antichrist are thrown alive into the lake of fire.  But the rest of their armies are simply killed.  In other words, they are both treated as antichrist leaders and not simply followers.  Could it be that both are in Old Testament Bible prophecy?  What if the false prophet is the king of the north and the man of lawlessness is the king who does as he pleases?  This would mean there are indeed three kings in these verses of Daniel.

In Revelation 13, I believe the statue of the first beast, set up for all the world to worship, is the abomination of desolation.  This statue is set up by the false prophet.  In other words, it's the false prophet who is equated to Antiochus Epiphanes.  He is the one who sets up the abomination of desolation.  Antiochus Epiphanes is a king of the north (the Seleucid empire.)  So he is more responsible for directly coming against Israel.  If this is the case, then the false prophet would be the Mahdi.  He would be Gog, from the land of Magog, which is to the north in Turkey or Syria.  He would probably be one of the ten kings.  He would be the head of the Islamic region of the world.  And he would be an antichrist.  But he is a separate antichrist from the man of lawlessness, who will rule over every nation, tribe, people, and language.

At this time, the antichrist (Gog) has unsuccessfully attacked Israel as per Ezekiel 38.  It becomes clear that God is not going to let Israel be destroyed.  So the antichrist must talk peace with Israel until his Islamic mind again sees an opportunity to destroy Israel.  He turns to building the Islamic Caliphate.  He will have had the northern Islamic nations of Turkey, Syria, and Iran prior to the attack on Israel.  He will also have Libya and (North) Sudan.  But noticeably absent from the nations in Ezekiel 38 is Egypt, which is the king of the south with regard to the historically unfulfilled part of Daniel's vision.  

Daniel 11:40-41 At the time of the end shall the king of the south contend with him; and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass through.  (41) He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown ; but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.

So the battles begin.  The false prophet goes to war with other Islamic nations in order to establish his Islamic Caliphate.  Edom, Moab and Ammon is a reference to Jordan.  Apparently Jordan is not conquered at this time.  Perhaps Jordan joins the Caliphate when it becomes apparent there is no alternative.

Daniel 11:42-45 He shall stretch forth his hand also on the countries; and the land of Egypt shall not escape.  (43) But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt ; and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.   (44) But news out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him; and he shall go forth with great fury to destroy and utterly to sweep away many.  (45) He shall plant the tents of his palace between the sea and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

It would seem that Egypt is one of the main Islamic countries that is conquered.  Remember that Egypt is consciously absent from those who attack Israel in Ezekiel 38.  This is not just an argument of silence.  Libya and (Northern) Sudan are listed in Ezekiel 38.  And they are on southern and western borders of Egypt.  Here in Daniel 11, Egypt is the main country mentioned that is conquered.  And yet apparently other countries are also conquered.  Libya and (Northern) Sudan are also mentioned.  But it's a little unclear if they are conquered.  This translation, and the KJV, says they are "at his steps."  The ESV says they are "in his train."  The NIV says they are "in submission."  I think they allow themselves to be conquered without putting up much of a fight.

With the three-king view of Daniel 11:36-45 we see the only Old Testament passage that speaks of both beasts of Revelation 13.  We have the man of lawlessness, or the global ruler, immediately followed by the false prophet.  The three-king view, interpreted in this way makes the text read much cleaner than either trying to read it as two kings, or saying that the king of the north is defeated.  This then, is one of the key verses in support of the two-beast Islamic antichrist perspective, as stated in the subtitle of this book.

Let's put it all together.  The first half of the week is characterized by the world being terrified by the appearance of the New Jerusalem.  This becomes proof that we are not alone in the universe.  The antichrist blasphemes Christ and those who live in heaven.  The false prophet battles various Islamic nations to set up the Islamic Caliphate.  The nations of the world begin to unite into ten regions of the world, ruled by ten kings.  The antichrist (first beast) has the military help of UFOs controlled by demonic forces.  In the middle of the week, Michael fights Satan and these demonic forces, throwing them down to the earth.  By this time, the antichrist will have authority over every nation, tribe, people, and language.  During the second half of the seven-year week, "there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time" (Daniel 12:1).  This is the great tribulation.