Daniel's Rise and Fall of Empires

Daniel's Rise and Fall of Empires

Kings of the South and the North

Daniel 11:30 "For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant."

the ships of Chittim... The reason given here for Antiochus not continuing his war on Egypt is the ships of Chittim coming against him. This refers to the Romans who ordered him to cease his war on his two nephews. Antiochus said he would consult with his friends, but the Roman legate drew a circle around him demanding that he give his answer before stepping out of the circle. Antiochus yielded to the Roman demand and left the country after being within seven miles of Alexandria. This is what grieved him.

return, and have... While in Egypt he heard that Jason, who had been deceived by him and deposed of the high priesthood, had gathered an army and marched against Jerusalem to take it from the wicked Menelaus who was beseiged in the castle (see notes, Dan. 11:22-23). Antiochus then came against Jerusalem and took it by storm; slew 40,000 Jews; sold many as slaves; boiled swine’s flesh and sprinkled the broth in the temple and on the altar; broke into the holy of holies; took away the golden vessels and other sacred treasures; restored Menelaus to office; and made Philip, a Phrygian, governor of Judea (1 Macc. 1:24; 2 Macc. 5:21). He also prohibited Jewish worship and consecrated the Jewish temple to Jupiter Olympius. After taking away the Jewish sacrifices in the Jewish temple, Antiochus offered a swine upon the altar and made the temple desolate of divine worship (Dan. 11:30-31; 1 Macc. 1:44-50). All this brought about the rebellion of the Jews under the Maccabees (Dan. 11:32-34). This war with Antiochus lasted about four years after which he died in a war in Persia.

This ends the historical section of this vision (Dan. 11:2-34), which was all prophecy when Daniel received the revelation of these events. Other kings continued in Syria and Egypt until these countries were taken over by the Romans about 30 B.C.