Daniel Chapter 11 Vs.1

 

Daniel's Rise and Fall of Empires

Kings of the South and the North

Daniel 11:1 "Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, [even] I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him."

Also I in... This is the beginning of the things that Daniel was told to understand in the vision. Some believe this was actually Cyrus, instead of Darius. For our study here, it makes no difference who was the king. We are looking at the spiritual side of these lessons, not the technical.

I, stood to confirm... The messenger of 10:10 continues to speak of assisting Michael, even as Michael had strengthened him (in the battle with demons in 10:21), confirming Darius in his purpose of kindness to Israel in decreeing their return.

This prophecy sweeps all the way from the history of spiritual conflict in Israel (11:2-35), to the tribulation (verses 36-42), when Michael aids in fully delivering Israel (12:1). The detail of this history is so minute and accurate so to be confirmed by history. The prophecy actually looks ahead from Daniel to the final Antichrist.

The next section vs. 2-35, unfolds the near fulfillment of the Persian kingdom and the reign of Greece through Antiochus Epiphanes.

Review:

The messenger then stated that when he returned to fight against the prince of Persia (cf. “the prince of the Persian kingdom,” Dan. 10:13), the prince of Greece would come.

Proceed:

These princes, as stated earlier (see Dan. 11:11-14), were demons, Satan’s representatives assigned to nations to oppose godly forces. Persia and Greece were two major nations discussed in detail in Dan. 11:1-45 (Persia, Dan. 11:2-4; Greece, Dan. 11:5-35).

The messenger was about to tell Daniel God’s plans for Israel under Persia and Greece (Dan. 11:2-35) and later in the Tribulation (Dan. 11:36-45) and the Millennium (Dan. 12:1-4).

Review:

The messenger told Daniel he was supported by Michael in his struggle with demons (cf. Dan. 10:13).

Proceed:

Michael is your (Daniel’s) prince in the sense that he has a special relationship to Israel (cf. Dan. 12:1), Daniel’s people. When Darius the Mede (Dan. 11:1; see Dan. 6:1; cf. Dan. 9:1) began his rule over Babylon, the messenger supported Darius in some way. Or if him refers to Michael then the thought is that the messenger supported Michael in return for Michael supporting the messenger.