Daniel 10:20-11:20
“Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.” (Daniel 10:20-21)
The angel Gabriel was the one who had talked to Daniel before, and is probably the one speaking here. He had been delayed three weeks by the prince or head of Persia, literally the Satanic angel directing Persia, and knows he has to return to limit Satan’s attack on God’s people. As soon as the Persian power is broken, the there will be a similar spirit pushing Greek power.
Satan’s goal has always been to gain control, and he has his demonic spirits there trying to control every government or other earthly power. Power attracts Satan and exposes its holders to his influence. Many people think America’s problems can be solved by political change, never understanding that Satan is trying to gain control of both parties. Ephesians 6:12 warns, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” It is God who limits governments and power brokers through his angels. Without his intervention, wickedness would have absolute control.
The two archangels, Michael and Gabriel are the only two powerful enough to withstand wickedness at that top level. They know what is going on and Gabriel will reveal part of it to Daniel before he returns to the fight.
“Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.” (Daniel 11:1)
Following God’s orders, Gabriel had been responsible for ending Belshazzar’s reign and bringing the Medo-Persian empire to power, directing his decisions as Daniel 2:21 states. “And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.”
Contrary to what many believe, God regulates the entire world, limiting how far things go, according to Acts 17:26-27. “And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation: That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us.” God allows cultures to continue as long as a significant percentage demonstrate an interest in God, allowing them to be destroyed when the culture prevents people from turning to him.
“And now will I show thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.” (Daniel 11:2)
Three Persian kings would complete their reigns after Cyrus. The fourth would over extend himself encouraging various groups to attack Greeks. The Peloponnesian wars would lead to a united Greek empire under Philip of Macedon.
“And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.” (Daniel 11:3-4)
Philip’s son, Alexander the great would conquer the entire Persian Empire and extend its boundaries to include most of what the Roman Empire would later hold in the east. After his death, the kingdom would be divided among his generals, since he had no heirs.
“And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion. And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.” (Daniel 11:5-6)
Much of the prophecy from this point has yet to be completed and can only be defined in broad general strokes. What is clear is that there would be attempts to form a united power, including both north and south. Both would give up a great deal in the effort to make peace, with the south losing almost all its power and being taken over much as Egypt was conquered by the Romans when Cleopatra was made queen.
“But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail: And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north. So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.” (Daniel 11:7-9)
Centuries after Rome conquered Egypt, Moorish forces conquered much of southern Europe, carrying slaves back to Egypt and north Africa and carrying away much of their wealth, leading to centuries of conflict between the two cultures.
“But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress. And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand. And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.” (Daniel 11:10-12)
The balance of power swung back and forth, with the people of the South invading the north in anger, killing thousands and for a time holding power. The present immigration and attempts to gain power by angry Muslim extremist groups in European countries is very possibly part of this prophecy.
“For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches. And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.
So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand. But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.” (Daniel 11:13-16)
Ultimately, the north will unite to put an end to the constant fighting by the Southern group, invading and taking over, some what like the peace keeping efforts of the United Nations. In the process they will have the support of many nations that are not directly involved in the conflict. There will be no one able to stand against the coalition.
“He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him.
After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him.” (Daniel 11:17-18)
The northern kingdom or coalition will establish a treaty with Israel, the daughter of women, but it is purely a union of convenience for Israel, freeing them from surrounding enemies. After signing the treaties, the northern kingdom uses their power to take over some island countries and another large country is able to thwart their empire building. Any guess as to what country that will be is pure speculation.
“Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.” (Daniel 11:19-20)
Defeated by that power the northern king or coalition returns to their homes but the coalition collapses and ceases to exist. Another would be leaders claims the his place for a short time, and the only thing he is noted for is raising taxes. Within just a short time he will be destroyed politically, leaving the door open for the Antichrist to come to full power.
Lacking the perspective of completed history or a special gift for prophecy, I can only share what I understand the scriptures to say and compare it to what I see around us. I will be watching to see how this prophecy plays out. Will it be fulfilled in our day? I don't know.
“Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.” (Daniel 10:20-21)
The angel Gabriel was the one who had talked to Daniel before, and is probably the one speaking here. He had been delayed three weeks by the prince or head of Persia, literally the Satanic angel directing Persia, and knows he has to return to limit Satan’s attack on God’s people. As soon as the Persian power is broken, the there will be a similar spirit pushing Greek power.
Satan’s goal has always been to gain control, and he has his demonic spirits there trying to control every government or other earthly power. Power attracts Satan and exposes its holders to his influence. Many people think America’s problems can be solved by political change, never understanding that Satan is trying to gain control of both parties. Ephesians 6:12 warns, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” It is God who limits governments and power brokers through his angels. Without his intervention, wickedness would have absolute control.
The two archangels, Michael and Gabriel are the only two powerful enough to withstand wickedness at that top level. They know what is going on and Gabriel will reveal part of it to Daniel before he returns to the fight.
“Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.” (Daniel 11:1)
Following God’s orders, Gabriel had been responsible for ending Belshazzar’s reign and bringing the Medo-Persian empire to power, directing his decisions as Daniel 2:21 states. “And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.”
Contrary to what many believe, God regulates the entire world, limiting how far things go, according to Acts 17:26-27. “And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation: That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us.” God allows cultures to continue as long as a significant percentage demonstrate an interest in God, allowing them to be destroyed when the culture prevents people from turning to him.
“And now will I show thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.” (Daniel 11:2)
Three Persian kings would complete their reigns after Cyrus. The fourth would over extend himself encouraging various groups to attack Greeks. The Peloponnesian wars would lead to a united Greek empire under Philip of Macedon.
“And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.” (Daniel 11:3-4)
Philip’s son, Alexander the great would conquer the entire Persian Empire and extend its boundaries to include most of what the Roman Empire would later hold in the east. After his death, the kingdom would be divided among his generals, since he had no heirs.
“And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion. And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.” (Daniel 11:5-6)
Much of the prophecy from this point has yet to be completed and can only be defined in broad general strokes. What is clear is that there would be attempts to form a united power, including both north and south. Both would give up a great deal in the effort to make peace, with the south losing almost all its power and being taken over much as Egypt was conquered by the Romans when Cleopatra was made queen.
“But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail: And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north. So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.” (Daniel 11:7-9)
Centuries after Rome conquered Egypt, Moorish forces conquered much of southern Europe, carrying slaves back to Egypt and north Africa and carrying away much of their wealth, leading to centuries of conflict between the two cultures.
“But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress. And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand. And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.” (Daniel 11:10-12)
The balance of power swung back and forth, with the people of the South invading the north in anger, killing thousands and for a time holding power. The present immigration and attempts to gain power by angry Muslim extremist groups in European countries is very possibly part of this prophecy.
“For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches. And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.
So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand. But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.” (Daniel 11:13-16)
Ultimately, the north will unite to put an end to the constant fighting by the Southern group, invading and taking over, some what like the peace keeping efforts of the United Nations. In the process they will have the support of many nations that are not directly involved in the conflict. There will be no one able to stand against the coalition.
“He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him.
After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him.” (Daniel 11:17-18)
The northern kingdom or coalition will establish a treaty with Israel, the daughter of women, but it is purely a union of convenience for Israel, freeing them from surrounding enemies. After signing the treaties, the northern kingdom uses their power to take over some island countries and another large country is able to thwart their empire building. Any guess as to what country that will be is pure speculation.
“Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.” (Daniel 11:19-20)
Defeated by that power the northern king or coalition returns to their homes but the coalition collapses and ceases to exist. Another would be leaders claims the his place for a short time, and the only thing he is noted for is raising taxes. Within just a short time he will be destroyed politically, leaving the door open for the Antichrist to come to full power.
Lacking the perspective of completed history or a special gift for prophecy, I can only share what I understand the scriptures to say and compare it to what I see around us. I will be watching to see how this prophecy plays out. Will it be fulfilled in our day? I don't know.
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