Daniel relays the last days prophecies to Darius the Mede who reigned after Cyrus. In the first half of chapter 11, he describes a time of battling between kings of the north and south. These verses portray the final king who will rise from this battling to rule the final kingdom of Babylon, the antichrist who will rise to power during the times described in Revelation.
21And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. 22And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant. 23And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. 24He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time. – Daniel 11:21-24 KJV
The final king will:
- Be a “vile person”
- Not be given “honour of the kingdom”
- “come in peaceably”
- “obtain kingdom with flatteries”
- Overcome those before him including the “prince of the covenant”
- Work deceitfully after making covenant
- Be “strong with a small people”
- Enter wealthiest provinces peacefully
- Behave unlike father and fathers’ fathers
- Scatter riches
The one who rises from the north will have victory over the king of the south and his armies. He is not honored initially, but gains power through flatteries, peacefully.
27And both these kings’ hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed. 28Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land. – Daniel 11:27-28 KJV
The two kings seek “mischief”, deceit in their agreement. The king of the north returns to his land, his heart against the covenant and doing “exploits”. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the statue showed the four reigns of Babylon on earth. The final represented by legs and feet made of iron mixed with clay, a kingdom divided. What we see here is that division, operating together for a time, making the agreement, but ultimately working against itself to determine the final leader.
The next verses describe a force coming against him and him being indignant to the holy covenant. The final king is against God. The sanctuary will be polluted and the “abomination” put in place. But even through this, there is hope for the people of God.
32And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. – Daniel 11:32 KJV
The earlier verse spoke of the final king performing exploits. Now we see God’s people will also be strong and performing “exploits”. The evil king will corrupt some with flatteries, but God’s people will be operating with truth and strength, God’s strength. Read that verse again, “the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” In fact, read it one more time,
“THE PEOPLE THAT DO KNOW THEIR GOD SHALL BE STRONG, AND DO EXPLOITS!!”
God did not create us to be weak! He created us to be in relation with Him and that relation, being a member of His glorious family means power, HIS POWER!! Our Father, King God Almighty, loves and cares deeply for His Princes and Princesses seeking to further His kingdom on earth!!! Take a moment to stop and really let that sink in deeply, to your heart, to your soul! Our Father God and Brother Jesus Christ love us so greatly, we are not even capable of completely understanding it on this side of heaven!! God will work through us as much as we allow and are willing to be righteous vessels, magnifying His glory and giving all praise and glory to God Almighty.
6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. – 2 Timothy 1:6 KJV
We have to stop thinking of ourselves as victims of this world and start thinking of ourselves as Kings Kids!! We have been given great power and with that great power comes great responsibility. Seek to more deeply understand that power and God’s plan for working through you individually. God has given talents to each of us. We need to be responsible with those talents by seeking God first and following His strategy for their use.
33And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. – Daniel 11:33 KJV
Remember Revelation scripture telling us not to fear, let those who are to go into captivity go. Let those who are to die by sword accept that way of transitioning to God’s glorious eternal kingdom! There will be a time when many are instructed in God’s ways. Some leading those efforts will fall to the evil on earth.
35And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. – Daniel 11:35 KJV
We are reminded in this verse that those who fall for the name of Jesus Christ will join those under the altar of God and receive white robes. God remains in control and will determine the final “time appointed”. In case it has not been written enough, we do not need to fear anything that will occur before that appointed time! We are God’s children and His plan for each of us will be carried out!
36And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. 37Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. 38But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. 39Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain. – Daniel 11:36-39 KJV
The final king will:
- Do according to his will
- Exalt himself above all other gods
- Speak great things against God
- Prosper until final evil is accomplished and concluded
- Disregard God of his fathers
- Not desire women
- Honor “strange god” with gold, silver and precious stones
- Divide land for gain
The final verses of this chapter again describe the battling of the final earthly king and the destruction he will seek.
45And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. – Daniel 11:45 KJV
He will come to an end with none able to help him. God again reiterates our hope. Jesus will return and destroy evil. Christ will have the final victory and will reign for eternity!!
God’s angels, who are charged with supporting God’s plan for each of us on earth will play a role in the last days. Chapter 12 opens with a stand by the mighty archangel Michael, battling in support of God’s will for His people.
1And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy 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 thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. – Daniel 12:1-3 KJV
Notice the order of operation in these verses: Michael stands for God’s children, time of trouble as never before seen, God’s chosen whose names are in the Book of Life are delivered, those sleeping on earth awake to everlasting life or contempt and the righteous shine like stars for eternity. This order aligns perfectly to Revelation scripture. Michael and his angels battle the dragon in heaven and the dragon is cast to earth. There are times of trouble on earth as have never been seen before. People whose names are written in the book are delivered, some from the dust of the earth rise to everlasting life and some to contempt. This is the second resurrection described by God when all are judged for their actions, the use of our talents is weighed for eternity.
God’s order of operation is consistent across all scripture, even though every detail is not mentioned in every passage.
The final verses of the book establish a timeline.
6And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? 7And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. – Daniel 12:6-7 KJV
The scattering of God’s holy people will be for a period of 3.5 years, “a time, times and an half”. Hope for God’s people is again given as the wicked will remain blind.
10Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. 11And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. – Daniel 12:10-12 KJV
Those “purified, and made white” again refers to the saints who are given white robes. The timing is clarified further, telling us when the abomination, the mark, is required of all, there will be a period of 1,290 days. And for those who wait and survive until day 1,335, an additional 45 days, they will be blessed.
NOTE: Appendix C consolidates the details of the final king and the final kingdom from Daniel scriptures for ease of reference.