Daniel 11:1-39

...continued from Daniel 10
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Verse-By-Verse

Gabriel, in continuing the thoughts of the previous verse (10:21), refers back to when he had helped Darius, just like he is now helping Cyrus. Angels work on behalf of humans to help us make right decisions. We cannot see what is happening behind the scenes, but there are forces at work against us and on our behalf.

Darius the Mede refers to Cyaxares II, who was an uncle to Cyrus the Great and son of Astyages. Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 BC at which point Cyaxares II became its king. In about 537, Cyaxares II gave his daughter in marriage to Cyrus and the Median kingdom as her dowry, thus further cementing the merged Median and Persian kingdoms. Cyaxares II, under the throne name of Darius, died about 537, and Cyrus then fully took the throne. The reference to Darius the Mede differentiates this Darius from Darius the Persian who ruled after Cyrus.

Realm #2: Medo Persia (539 to 331 BC)

Gabriel begins to explain what will happen to Daniel's people in the latter days (Dan. 10:14). The explanation is given in plain language, not symbols. Chapter 11 is not a vision, but an interpretation of a vision. Thus, there are no new symbols introduced and it is given in literal language. This is the same pattern followed throughout Daniel: There is a symbolic vision followed by a literal interpretation (see more information in the Precedents).

Chapter 11 builds on the prophecy of Daniel 8. Just like in Daniel's vision in chapter 8, the realms of Medo-Persia and Greece are named, leaving no doubt as to the starting point of this vision. Note: Unlike the visions in Daniel 2 and 7, Babylon (the 1st realm) had already been replaced by Persia at the time of this vision, so no mention is made of it.

King Cyrus reigned when the vision was given. He was followed by:
1st King = Cambyses II (530-522 BC)
2nd King = Bardiya/Smerdis (522 BC) (Smerdis was an usurper)
3rd King = Darius I (521-485 BC) (522-486) (same as Darius Hystaspes, son of Hystaspes)
4th King = Xerxes I (486-465 BC) (the rich 4th King) (also called Ahasuerus)

Xerxes, the fourth king, was very wealthy ("far richer"). He becomes far more rich "than all of them", referring back to the three other kings. He gathered support as he stockpiled supplies for four years while assembling his army, which had contingents from 40 nations ("stir up all"). They all marched together, against Greece, but were defeated. This was Xerxes, the same as king Ahasuerus of Queen Esther's time (Esther 1:4-7). He ruled when the empire's territory was at its greatest extent. Note: Some interpretations leave out Smerdis, who was a usurper, and identify Artaxerxes I (reigned 465-424 BC) as the rich 4th King. However, it was Xerxes I, not Artaxerxes I, who assembled a multi-national army ("he shall stir up all"). Xerxes was the last Persian king who invaded Greece. The defeat of Persia by Greece gives us a clue to look for Greece to arrive as next power. Thus, the prophecy now skips over the next 9 Persian rulers: Artaxerxes I (465-424), Xerxes II (424), Sogdianus (424-423), Darius II (424-404), Artaxerxes II (404-358), Artaxerxes III (358-338), Artaxerxes IV (338-336), Darius III (336-330) and Artaxerxes V (330-329).

Daniel saw that Greece would replace Medo Persia in a previous prophecy (Daniel 8:20-21).

Realm #3: Greece (331 to 168 BC)

The powerful ruler that takes over next is Alexander the Great (336-323 BC) ("mighty king")who united the Greeks and quickly conquered the Persians. This famous young leader began to rule when he was only 20 years old and by the time he was 25 he had conquered much of the Eastern world. His amazing feats are exemplified by the battle of Arbela (also called the Battle of Gaugamela) in 331 BC, when he conquered the Medes and Persians by defeating the much larger army of Darius III, with a force of less than 50,000 men.

Parallel Prophecies: The great horn on the goat (Dan. 8:21). "And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king [Alexander the Great]" (Dan. 8:21) When Alexander was in his prime, he suddenly died (reigned 336-323 BC). With his successors ("diadochi", the leaders, generals, families and friends in power at his death) unwilling to proceed with unity, years of civil war followed until four separate stable powers emerged. His kingdom was not divided to his descendents to rule, but fought over and won by the strongest. They divided the realm in the four directions of the compass ("winds") (this is not symbolic, but metaphorical). The four political powers and their territories are:

• Greece (Macedonia) (Cassander, a nobleman and son of Alexander's General Antipater)
  
• Asia Minor (Thrace,Macedon) (Lysimachus, held a prominent position in Alexander's circle and was his immediate bodyguard)
  
• Syria (Persian Empire, part of Asia Minor, Northern Syria, Mesopotamia, the east) (Seleucus I, one of Alexander's Generals)
  
• Egypt (Palestine and parts of Syria) (Ptolemy I, one of Alexander's Generals)

Parallel Prophecies: The 4 heads on Leopard (Dan. 7:6) and 4 horns on goat (Dan. 8:8). Verse 5 begins an outline of the struggles between the kings of Ptolemaic Egypt (king of the south) and Seleucid Syria (king of the north). Note that it is not until the realm of Greece divides that there is a king of the north and king of the south. This is an important precedent that helps us interpret later verses in the chapter. Also note that it is the two main warring divisions of the realm that become the king of the north and king of the south.

Seleucus I served as an admiral under Ptolemy I in 314 BC (he was "one of his princes"), fighting together against other Diadochi. Seleucus had great success and went on to gain territory. The four powers were allied together to defeat other threats and when they defeated Antigonus I in 301 BC at the Battle of Ipsus, Ptolemy I took control of the Coele-Syria region (southern Syria or Lebanon, Syria and Israel). However, the other alliance members assigned all of Syria to Seleucus. The question of ownership of the region resulted in an ongoing war between the Seleucid and Ptolemaic dynasties. However, Seleucus I, who had gained power through the help of Ptolemy I, did not take military action to reclaim the region. Once both were dead their successors began a long series of wars. Thus, Ptolemy was strong, but Seleucus became stronger and established the Seleucid Empire. Verse 5 begins the description of the intrigues between the King of the North (Seleucids - Syria) and the King of the South (Ptolemies - Egypt). Ptolemy II (283-246 BC) fought against Antiochus I (281-261 BC) in the first Syria war (274-271 BC) and was victorious. He then fought against Antiochus II (261-246 BC) in the second Syrian war (260-253 BC). Ptolemy II was losing and agreed to a peace agreement (253 BC) in which Antiochus II would marry his daughter Berenice (250 BC). In order to do this, Antiochus II divorced his wife Laodice I, and transferred the succession to Berenice's children. When Ptolemy II died in 246 BC, Antiochus II took back Laodice I, but he soon died. Berenice made claims to the throne for her infant son Antiochus, but both were killed by Laodice I, who's own son, Seleucus II, could then ascend to the throne. Berenice's brother ("branch of her roots"), Ptolemy III, succeeded Ptolemy II. Determined to avenge his sister's murder, he invaded Syria, fighting against the newly crowned Seleucus II (246-225 BC). Ptolemy III was very successful and gained new territories. Ptolemy took 40,000 talents worth of silver, 4000 talents of gold and 2500 idols from the Syrians back to Egypt.

After Ptolemy returned to Egypt, Seleucus II recovered Northern Syria and the nearer provinces of Iran. Selecus II's son, Seleucus III (225-223 BC), succeeded him and launched a campaign against Attalus I of the Attalid dynasty to regain territory in Asia Minor. Seleucus III was assassinated, but the effort was carried on successfully by Achaeus who took control of the army and recovered the lost territories.Seleucus III's younger brother, Antiochus III ("Antiochus the Great," 222-187 BC) succeeded him. During the fourth Syrian war (219-217 BC), his armies regained territory and was positioned in Phoenecia to invade Egypt. He waited for over a year while consolidating his new territories and considering diplomatic proposals sent by the Ptolemies. Meanwhile, the Ptolemy's were recruiting and training an army. In 217 BC Ptolemy IV (221-205 BC) defeated Antiochus III at the Battle of Raphia, the largest battle since the Battle of Ipsus eighty years earlier. Antiochus III's loss nullified his previous gains. Ptolemy IV regained control over Coele-Syria. Ptolemy IV (reigned 221-204 BC), his heart being lifted up after his victory in Palestine ("his heart shall be lifted up"), sought to enter the Jewish temple. The Jews resisted him and he had "tens of thousands" put to death. Ptolemy IV's son, Ptolemy V (reigned 204-181 BC), succeeded to the throne as a child amidst a bloody conflict. Antiochus III set about to take advantage of the situation and successfully launched an invasion to take back Coele-Syria. This was the fifth Syrian War (202-195 BC). In 200 BC, the Seleucids and Ptolemaics met at the Battle of Panium. Antiochus III was victorious, largely due to the use of cataphracts, which was heavy armored equipment with complete scale armor for the horses. By 198 BC, Ptolemaic rule in Palestine was over. The Ptolemies signed a treaty with Antiochus III in in 195 BC and the Ptolemies' reign was weakened. They suffered from the Egyptian Revolt, in which there were many rebellions by native Egyptians that took away over half the country over 20 years (206-185 BC). The word translated to "robbers" means son and denotes kinship, such as a family or nation. It is usually translated to "son" or "children". Notice that the NASB translates it to "violent ones among your people". The Jews would try to rise up to fulfill prophecy. The pro-Seleucid Jewish faction in Jerusalem joined a short-lived attempt to exploit the situation in Egypt in order to break out from under Ptolemaic rule of Palestine. Ptolemy VI (reigned 180 to 145 BC) succeeded to the throne and Egypt declared war on the Seleucids, launching the sixth Syrian war (170-168 BC). But, Antiochus IV (175-164 BC) launched a preemptive attack and quickly gained control of all Egypt except Alexandria. He besieged Alexandria, but withdrew in 169 BC. However, he soon turned back towards Egypt again. The Ptolemies were too weak to withstand and sent a request to the Roman Senate for assistance. Antiochus seized Cyprus and Memphis, and was marching towards Alexandria when Popilius, a Roman representative, met him. Popilius delivered the ultimatum from the Senate that Antiochus must immediately evacuate Egypt and Cyprus. Antiochus IV wanted more time to consider, but Popilius drew a circle around Antiochus in the sand and told him to decide before he stepped outside it. Antiochus obeyed and withdrew. Rome had just defeated the Macedonians under Lucius Aemilius Paullus Macedonicus in the pivotal Battle of Pydna, and Rome had become too powerful to defy. Rome was doing what it wanted to do ("according to his own will").

Rome ("he that cometh against him") is described in this verse as the one coming against Antiochus that no one can stand up to ("none shall stand before him"). Paullus was military leader and consul in 168 BC, representing the Roman Senate. In other words: "But he [Paullus] that cometh against him [Antiochus IV] shall do according to his [Paullus'] will, and none shall stand before him [Paullus]: and he [Antiochus IV] shall stand in the glorious land [Judea], which by his [Antiochus IV's] hand shall be consumed."

After complying with the Roman Senate's orders, Antiochus IV (reigned 175-164 BC) returned north from Egypt. On the way he stopped at Jerusalem ("glorious land"), which had been under Seleucid rule since around 200 BC. He sided with the Hellenized Jewish faction, outlawed Jewish religious rites and ordered the worship of Zeus. The Jews refused and Antiochus killed many Jews and destroyed the city of Jerusalem ("consumed").

Note: Rome also would "stand in the glorious land", in 63 BC, and would destroy it in the 1st-2nd century AD. The timing seems to fit better with the destruction by Antiochus IV, which occurred at the same time as the other events in this verse, rather than the Roman destruction that would occur more than 2 centuries later.

The defeat of the Greeks by the Romans gives us the clue that the focus will now shift from Greece to Rome. Also, from verse 16 through 24, the KOS is not mentioned. This indicates that we are no longer in the time of divided Greece, nor in the time of divided Rome. This is the time when Rome ruled centrally, so there was no king of the south or north because there were no divisions in the realm.

Realm #4: Rome (168 BC to Second Coming)

Rome launched into major conquests. Paullus' son Publius Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus Africanus Numantinus (lived 185 - 129 BC), who was with his father at the battle of Pydna in 168 BC, went on to win major wars by defeating the mighty Carthaginian Empire (149-146 BC) and Numantia (in Hispania) (143-133 BC). Scipio was consul twice and considered the greatest and most considerable man in Rome. Scipio married Sempronia Gracchae ("daughter of women") (lived 170 -101 BC), who was the daughter of Cornelia the Mother of the famous Gracchi, and her husband Tiberius Gracchus. Sempronia's brothers, politicians Tiberius Gracchus and Gaius Gracchus, were powerful policians, however, Scipio was decidedly opposed to the practices of the Gracchi. The couple had an unhappy marriage. When Scipio died in 129 BC, Sempronia and her mother, were suspected of causing his death ("she shall not stand on him side").

Parallel Prophecies: This begins the period matching the description of the little horn in Daniel 8:9 where Rome waxes great toward the south (Carthage and Northern Africa in 146 BC) (Dan. 11:17), east (Greece and Syria in 65 BC) (Dan. 11:18-19) and pleasant land (Judea in Ps. 106:21-25, Jews lost independence and became a client kingdom of Rome in 63 BC when General Pompey captured Jerusalem). The greatest challenge to Roman supremacy from the end of the second to the middle of the first century BC was the long-lived Mithridates VI of Pontus (lived 135-63 BC) (reigned 120 - 63 BC). By 87 BC, Mithridates had taken over Roman lands and controlled almost all of Asia Minor, Greece, Thrace, part of Macedon, and dominated the Black Sea and Aegean, with the help of his general, Archelaus. The Mithridatic Wars (88-63 BC) were between Rome and the Kingdom of Pontus. At the center of these wars were the Islands of Greece in the Aegean Sea, the number of which range between 1,200 to 6,000 ("the isles"). Control of the sea was key to victory. Because of the war, the large scale problem of piracy in the Mediterranean worsened. A large network of pirates had joined together and coordinated operations over wide areas with large fleets. The pirates dominated the whole Mediterranean. It was thought that Mithridates fostered piracy as a way to weaken the Romans. In 67 BC, Pompey (lived 106-48 BC) was voted to be given full power against the pirates, including dominion over the waters of the entire Mediterranean sea and fifty miles inland for three years. He was given a fleet, soldiers and money. He had great and quick success, bringing an end to piracy within three months. Based on his success, in 66 BC, Pompey was given supreme command in the war against Mithridates. He finally defeated Mithridates in Asia Minor in 66 BC. Then he went on to take control of Syria in 65-63 BC and captured Jerusalem in 63 BC.

In 60 BC, Julius Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey formed a political alliance (triumvirate) that dominated Roman politics for several years. But, when Pompey's wife died (54 BC), who was Caesar's daughter, and Crassus died in battle (53 BC), it broke the links between Pompey and Caesar ("a prince for his own behalf"). The triumvirate disintegrated into infighting. Subsequent events led Pompey to become scornful of Caesar's power. But, Julius came out victor in the Great Civil War (49-45 BC) ("cause the reproach...to cease") and ("cause it to turn upon him [Pompey]"). Pompey fled to Egypt, hoping that his former client, King Ptolemy, would help him. But the Egyptian king didn't want to offend the victorious Caesar. When Pompey left his ship to come ashore at Pelusium, he was stabbed and killed by one of Ptolemy's officers in 48 BC ("he shall stumble and fall"). Note: Pompey's supporters continued the war until 45 BC went Julius defeated them. In 44 BC, Julius was named "dictator in perpetuity," after which he was quickly assassinated.

See map of the Roman realm in 44 BC
See map of the Expansion of the Roman Republic After Julius Caesar's death (100 - 44 BC), the second Triumvirate was officially formed in 43 BC, composed of Antony, Octavian, and Caesar's loyal cavalry commander Lepidus. Octavian (lived 63 BC - 14 AD) became the first Roman Emperor as Caesar Augustus (reigned 27BC - 14 AD). He was a "raiser of taxes". He was in power when Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem to be censored/taxed (Luke 2:1). He died in his sleep while sick in AD 14 ("neither in anger, nor in battle"), after his health had been in decline for a few months ("within few days he shall be destroyed"). Note that the phrase "within a few days" doesn't refer to the length of his reign, but instead it contrasts his powerful reign with the fact that despite his great power it only took a few days days for him to die from sickness. Tiberius became the next emperor (14 AD - 37 AD), not through popular demand and not through conquest, but through the influence of his mother and "flatteries". He was not given the "honour of the kingdom" because he refused to hold certain titles, including Imperator, August and Pater Patriae. He even declined the Civic Crown and laurels. Tiberius came to rule "peaceably", not through civil war or conquest. After a time in office, he increasingly engaged in cruel and licentious activities that made him despised ("a vile person") by the people and the senate. He eventually refused to participate in administrative and ruling activities and retired to live a gloomy and depressed life. He became a tyrannical recluse. In 4 AD, Tiberius was adopted by Augustus and granted the powers of a tribune and proconsul, and by AD 13 was awarded equal level of imperium with that of Augustus. A flood is used in the Bible to indicate an invading army. This one is broken or shattered.

Tiberius was one of Rome's greatest generals. From 12 to 6 BC, he successfully campaigned in Pannonia, Germania, Dalmatia and Raetia. In 6 AD, Tiberius and Quaestor Legatus Germanicus led a campaign against a major revolt in Illyricum, which lasted for nearly four years. During the campaign, in 9 AD, the Roman legions under Varus met a force of Germanic tribes at the Battle of the Teutoburg. Historians emphasize the profound consequences of this battle as changing the course of world history. At the time, Varus was named Legatus Augusti pro praetore and led three of the Roman legions in the southern part of Illyricum, and Arminius was a Roman military leader in command of Germanic auxiliary forces for Rome. As a boy, Arminius had been given as tribute by a Germanic tribal leader to Rome to be raised by the Romans. As he learned of abuses in Roman treatment of Germans and their plans to violate treaties and subjugate Germania, he began laying plans of betrayal. He secretly warned the tribal leaders and planned a brilliant and well-planned ambush. Arminius sent word to Varus of a revolt in the Rhine area. Varus went to help put down the revolt, but instead found himself and his armies in an indefensible position. The Romans were massacred and lost three full legions ("overflown from before him... and broken"). The Germans went on to clean out all Roman forts, garrisons and cities east of the Rhine. It stunned the Roman world. Germania, no longer a Roman province, remained free from then on. After Tiberius became emperor, he sent back his armies for revenge, in 14 AD, raiding, killing and devastating the land. They then withdrew back across the Rhine. Rome never again attempted to completely conquer the Germanic territories east of the Rhine river. Historians have labeled this battle as Rome's greatest defeat. (Note: In 117 AD, emperor Trajan gained a corner of Germania, which was later lost in the 270s under emperor Aurelius. After that, the Germanic tribes were increasingly integrated into the Roman world and eventually took outright control of the military and a divided realm.)

See map of the Roman Empire borders at the Rhine River
Learn more about the history of Germania

Jesus Christ ("prince of the covenant") died on the cross ("broken") in 31 AD under the Romans during the reign of Tiberius (emperor from 14 AD to 37 AD) (Luke 3:1).

Note: The reference to the overflowing flood is similar to the wording in Daniel 9:26, which refers to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. But, based on this verse's (11:22) order and wording, and since Tiberius was no longer alive in 70 AD, the arms of a flood seem more likely to be referring to the destruction of Tiberius' forces in 9 AD. Verse 23 now transitions to a new power and time period. We are provided clues to stay on track by looking at the precedents of Greece and Daniel's parallel prophecies:

• 1. A defeat can signal a new era - In verse 2, when Greece defeated the Persians, it gave us a clue to look for Greece to arrive as the next power in verse 3 as it skipped over the next 9 Persian rulers to the time when Greece became the dominant realm in 331 BC. This established a precedent, that is also used here in verse 22 and 23. The defeat of Rome by the Germanic tribes in verse 22 clue us to look for the next phase of the Roman realm when it would come under the command of the Germanic tribes. Thus, the narrative skips over the rest of the Imperial Roman rulers to the time when it divided into 10 decentralized germanic kingdoms in 486 AD. This was previously prophesied in Daniel 2 and 7, by the 10 toes and 10 horns, symbolizing that Rome would become a decentralized, or divided, realm.
  
  
• 2. Parallel prophecies are consistent - This prophecy follows right along with Daniel's previous prophecies. We've seen an order of realms established repeatedly of (1) Babylon, (2) Medo-Persia, (3) Greece, and (4) Rome, which becomes Divided Rome ruled politically by the 10 tribes (486 AD to Second Coming) and ruled ecclesiastically by the papacy (538-1798 AD). This prophecy in Daniel 11 is no different as it parallels the other prophecies, and verse 23 now transitions, as expected, to describe Divided Rome and its two main political powers or divisions (KON & KOS).
  
  
• KON and KOS arise out of the divisions of a single realm - Just like the precedent established in verse 4 when the King of the North (KON) and King of the South (KOS) arose out of the divisions of Greece, so now the King of the North and King of the South arise out of the divisions of Rome. Verse 23 and 24 introduce the king of the north who then clashes with the king of the south in verse 25. Until a realm divides, there is central rule and thus only one king. If there is mention of two kings, then we know that we are in the divided phase of a realm.
  
  
• The two main warring divisions become the KON and KOS - There were 10 main tribes into which the Roman realm (western half of empire) divided in 486 AD (Note: Prophecy follows the western half of the Roman Empire as the 4th realm. The eastern half gradually became a separate entity known as the Byzantine Empire). The two main forces that fought for the heart of the realm were the Franks and the Visigoths. Other tribes were allied with them (e.g. the Visigoths were allied with the Ostrogoths). Just like when the two main warring divisions of Greece became the KON and KOS, so now the two main warring divisions of Rome become the KON and KOS.
  
  
• Reference point is the realm itself - As in previous chapters of Daniel, the compass directions described in Daniel 11 are also given from the perspective of the realm and location of the kings themselves. This precedent was established in Daniel's vision in chapter 8. He saw the ram (Medo-Persia) pushing west (toward Babylon), north (toward Lydia) and south (toward Egypt) in relation to its location in the east (Dan. 8:4). He also saw the little horn (Rome), from its location in the west, waxing great toward the south (Carthage and Northern Africa), the east (Greece and Syria) and toward the pleasant land (Judea/Israel) (Dan. 8:9). The reference point is not a fixed location that doesn't move, such as Israel. Rather, it is the location of the kings within the realm, which move as the realm moves. This is important because we must follow-the-realm as its territory changes, just like we do in Daniel's previous prophecies. Our reference point must change as the realm changes. In this case, the Franks were located more north of the Visigoths and they became the KON while the Visigoths became the KOS.
  
  
  
  

To summarize these points in context of verses 23-28, after the Roman realm divides (486 AD) and prior to the "time appointed" (538 - 1798 AD), we can expect two major western European powers (2 of the 10 tribes/divisions that made up the Roman realm at that time) to engage in major war for the heart of the realm. It would be history-making, just like all the previous wars in Daniel 11. This occurred in the events leading up to and culminating in the Battle of Vouille in 507 AD between the Franks and Visigoths. Based on the precedent established where the reference point is the perspective of the kings themselves within the realm, the Franks became the King of the North, and the Visigoths the King of the South. SUMMARY:

"23 And after the league made with him [in 486 AD, Clovis, king of the Salian Franks, made a historic alliance with another Frankish king to overthrow the domain of Soissons, the last place of central Roman rule in the west] he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people [after conquering Soissons, Clovis went on to kill his fellow Frankish kings through ruthless trickery, growing in power from very small beginnings to become the most powerful kingdom in the divided Roman realm] . 24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province [when the province of Soissons seemed secure in its prosperity, Clovis successfully conquered it, including its richest cities]; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers [Clovis defeated the Romans and unified the Franks, which no one in his family had done before him]; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches [after the battle of Soissons, the Frankish armies divided the spoils by lot]: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time [Clovis plotted to take many fortified places throughout the Roman realm]."

DETAIL:

Verses 23-24 describe the rise of the next king of the north who eventually attacks the king of the south in verse 25. Remember that verse 22 was a power-transition-trigger verse that pointed us to the rise of the Germanic tribes. The tribe that steadily rose to prominence was the Franks.

In 486, Clovis, king of the Salian Franks (481 - 511 AD), allied with another Frankish king, Ragnachar (the ruler of Cambrai) ("league made with him"). Together they attacked the domain of Soissons, the last western stand of the Roman military. The Franks were victorious and brought an end to central rule in the western Roman Empire. Thus, the Roman realm (the 4th kingdom of Bible prophecy) entered its divided phase (Dan. 2, 7 - "10 toes", "10 horns"). Because the realm was again divided, as it was earlier during the realm of Greece in verses 4-5 (Greece had divided into 4 kingdoms of which two became the KON and KOS), this signalled that a KON and KOS would again arise (as we see in verse 25). The new king of the north is here being introduced.

Clovis, along with his father and grandfather, were allies of the Romans, but after Clovis became king (481 AD), he determined to overthrow the Romans and expand his own kingdom. From very small beginnings of an estimatead 500 warriors, he went on to not only overthrow the Romans, but also defeat his fellow Frankish chieftains through ruthless trickery ("work deceitfully"), and expanded his kingdom dramatically ("become strong with a small people"), laying the groundwork for the Frank's future domination of Europe. Some of his deceitful activities are described in the excerpt below by Gregory of Tours:

"The two Kings of whom I have told you, Ragnachar and Ricchar, were relatives of Clovis. At his command their brother Rignomer was also put to death in Le Mans. As soon as all three were slain, Clovis took over their kingdom and their treasure. In the same way he encompassed the death of many other kings and blood-relations of his whom he suspected of conspiring against his kingdom. By doing this he spread his dominion over the whole of Gaul. One day when he had called a general assembly of his subjects, he is said to have made the following remark about the relatives whom he had destroyed: 'How sad a thing it is that I live among strangers like some solitary pilgrim, and that I have none of my own relations left to help me when disaster threatens!' He said this not because he grieved for their deaths, but because in his cunning way he hoped to find some relative still in the land of the living whom he could kill." (Gregory of Tours. "The History of the Franks". Translated by Lewis Thorpe. London: Penguin Group, 1974. Page 157-158.)

Bernard S. Bachrach also describes Clovis' deceitfulness after the alliance was made with him:

"He [Clovis] then turned his attention...to the Frankish warbands which had deserted him in 496 to follow Ragnachar. Largely through bribery, assassination, and murder, Clovis was able to eliminate the reguli and take over their warbands. Among the many with whom he dealt (all seemingly his relatives) was Sigibert of Cologne who was murdered by his own son at Clovis's instigation. Clovis then had the son murdered. Chararic and his son were captured and executed soon after. Ragnachar and his brothers Riccar and Rignomer seem to have been the last of the reguli to fall. Clovis bribed their leudes, who consequently refused to fight, then captured their former lords; the brothers were handed over to Clovis who killed them. With Ragnachar's death the remaining warbands joined Clovis and received baptism." (Bernard S. Bachrach. "Merovingian Military Organization 481-751". Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1972. Page 13.)

The word translated to "province" indicates a jurisdiction or division within a kingdom/empire (Dan. 8:2, Esth. 9:30). Clovis conquered the seemingly secure ("peaceably") Roman province of Soissons (located between the Seine and the Somme), including the richest areas of Verdun, Paris, Angers, Tours, Orleans and Rheims ("He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province"). Clovis was about 16 years old when crowned king, but he was extremely aggressive. He defeated the Romans, took over Gaul, extended his territory and by 511 AD, had largely consolidated his rule among the Franks. He was the first Frankish king to defeat the Romans and unite the Frankish tribes under one ruler, achieving what no one in his family had done before him ("do that which his fathers have not done"). After a battle, the Frankish armies would gather to divide the spoils by lot ("he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches"). The interesting story of the vase at Soissons gives us insight into the process:

At this time [A.D. 486] the army of Clovis pillaged many churches, for he was still sunk in the errors of idolatry. The soldiers had borne away from a church, with all the other ornaments of the holy ministry, a vase of marvelous size and beauty. The bishop of this church sent messengers to the king, begging that if the church might not recover any other of the holy vessels, at least this one might be restored. The king, bearing these things, replied to the messenger: "Follow thou us to Soissons, for there all things that have been acquired are to be divided. If the lot shall give me this vase, I will do what the bishop desires." When be had reached Soissons, and all the booty had been placed in the midst of the army, the king pointed to this vase, and said: "I ask you, O most valiant warriors, not to refuse to me the vase in addition to my rightful part," Those of discerning mind among his men answered, "O glorious king, all things which we see are thine, and we ourselves are subject to thy power; now do what seems pleasing to thee, for none is strong enough to resist thee." When they had thus spoken one of the soldiers, impetuous, envious, and vain, raised his battle-axe aloft and crushed the vase with it, crying, "Thou shalt receive nothing of this unless a just lot give it to thee." At this all were stupefied. The king bore his injury with the calmness of patience, and when he had received the crushed vase he gave it to the bishop's messenger, but be cherished a hidden wound in his breast. When a year had passed he ordered the whole army to come fully equipped to the Campus Martius and show their arms in brilliant array - But when he had reviewed them all he came to the breaker of the vase, and said to him, "No one bears his arms so clumsily as thou ; for neither thy spear, nor thy sword, nor thy ax is ready for use." And seizing his ax, he cast it on the ground. And when the soldier had bent a little to pick it up the king raised his hands and crushed, his head with his own ax. "Thus," he said, "didst thou to the vase at Soissons." ("Medieval Sourcebook: Gregory of Tours: On Clovis." Internet History Sourcebooks Project. Web. 11 Jan. 2023, https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/gregtours1.asp)

Clovis successfully plotted to overtake many of the fortified cities of the realm during the years of his reign ("he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time"). The word "time" is not here interpreted to mean a year. The word translated to "time" (eth) is not the same word used in Dan. 7:25 for "time, times and 1/2 time" (nor in Dan. 4:16-32). It is used throughout Daniel to refer generally to the span of time or moment in time when something would occur.

SUMMARY:

25 "And he [KON - Clovis, king of the Franks] shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south [Alaric II, king of the Visigoths] with a great army [after years of rising tensions, the Frank's attacked the Visigoths in 507 AD at the battle of Vouille]; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he [KOS - Alaric] shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him. 26 Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him [Alaric's magnates forced him to go into battle before the right time and against his plans], and his army shall overflow [the Visigoths were defeated]: and many shall fall down slain [many, including Alaric, were killed in a massive slaughter]. 27 And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table [Alaric and Clovis had met on an island in 506, ate and drank together and agreed to live in peace]; but it shall not prosper [Clovis still attacked in 507]: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed [the dispute would not resolve until during the 1260 years, 538 - 1798 AD]. 28 Then shall he [KON] return into his land with great riches [as part of the conquest, Clovis conquered the Visigoth's capital at Toulouse and took the royal treasury with all of its wealth and famous ancient treasures of Solomon]; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant [Clovis, rejecting Biblical Christianity, aligned himself with the papacy, becoming the first Germanic Catholic king]; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land."

DETAIL:

Now that the KON and KOS are mentioned again in verse 25, it confirms that the timing of these verses must be after a division in the realm has occurred. Otherwise, there is only one king, as established by the precedent of Greece as it divided and gave rise to a KON and KOS in verses 4-5.

Clovis (lived 466 - 511, reigned 481 - 511), king of the Franks ("he" [KON]), attacked Alaric II (lived 460 - 507, reigned 484 - 507), king of the Visigoths ("King of the South") in the famous battle of Vouille in 507 AD. In addition to wanting to expand his territory and economic reasons, Clovis, having become a Nicene Christian, gained influence by being seen as liberating the Catholics from Arian Christian rule. The conflict brewed over several years ("stir up his power and his courage") before culminating at Vouille when Clovis (KON) defeated Alaric (KOS) ("he shall not stand"). Alaric was plotted against ("forecast devices") by his magnates ("they that feed...of his meat") who forced him to go to battle against Clovis prematurely, instead of waiting for help from Theodoric's (King of the Ostrogoths and Alaric's father-in-law) army according to Alaric's plan. As a result, Alaric and many others were killed in a massive slaughter ("many shall fall down slain"). The following quote by Procopius, a Byzantine historian during the 6th century, describes the way those around Alaric caused their own army's defeat and Alaric's death:

"But later on, when the power of the Germans [Franks] was growing greater, they began to think slightingly of Theoderic and the fear he inspired, and took the field against Alaric and the Visigoths. And when Alaric learned this, he summoned Theoderic as quickly as possible. And he set out to his assistance with a great army. In the meantime, the Visigoths, upon learning that the Germans were in camp near the city of Carcasiana, went to meet them, and making a camp remained quiet. But since much time was being spent by them in blocking the enemy in this way, they began to be vexed, and seeing that their land was being plundered by the enemy, they became indignant. And at length they began to heap many insults upon Alaric, reviling him on account of his fear of the enemy and taunting him with the delay of his father-in-law. For they declared that they by themselves were a match for the enemy in battle and that even though unaided they would easily overcome the Germans in the war. For this reason Alaric was compelled to do battle with the enemy before the Goths had as yet arrived. And the Germans, gaining the upper hand in this engagement, killed the most of the Visigoths and their ruler Alaric." (Procopius. "Procopius History of the Wars, Books V. and VI." Translated by H.B. Dewing. Page 129.)

As we've seen throughout Daniel 11, all of the wars and events are the most significant events through time that affect God's people and the successive realms that ruled over them (see Precedents). Was the Battle of Vouille significant enough to warrant mention in Daniel 11? Historian Danuta Shanzer asserts that "...even though the battle was suitably commemorated in local venues (Fig.1), Vouille has received scant attention and little respect in modern scholarship. The present volume, however, rehabilitates the Battle of Vouille and establishes it not only as a miliitary milestone in the history of the Franks and their king Clovis, but as a crucial prelude to the rise of medieval and modern Europe" ("The Battle of Vouille, 507 CE Where France Began". Edited by Ralph W. Mattisen and Danuta Shanzer. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, Inc., 2012. Page IX.) Shanzer concludes that Vouille is "one of the most pivotal battles in history" and had "lasting and significant consequences for the future course of history" ("The Battle of Vouille, 507 CE Where France Began". Page XXII.). The significance of these events provide further reason to place these verses at this time in history. The Franks and Visigoths had multiple squirmishes during the late 490s. In 506, Alaric invited Clovis to meet for peace talks. They met on an island, ate and drank together and agreed to live in peace and friendship ("lies at one table"). But Clovis continued to have his eye on Aquitaine and the situation escalated. Theoderic, king of the Ostrogoths, also tried to promote peace talks and sent letters and ambassadors to the various parties involved. Theoderic finally threatened he would attack if Clovis didn't back down. But none of the peace talks averted Clovis' attack nor ended the conflict ("shall not prosper"). The dispute would not resolve until during the 1260 years (538 - 1798) ("for yet the end shall be at the time appointed").

The Time Appointed

This time period is mentioned several times in Daniel. In verses 33-35, it links this time period to the time of the persecution of the saints. "And 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" (Dan. 11:35). In Daniel's previous prophecies (as well as in Revelation), the time of persecution is established as 1260 years, from 538 to 1798 ("the time appointed"). In applying this to verses 27 and 29, it indicates that the events revolve around the time just prior to 538 AD (verse 27) and after 538 AD (verse 29).

Great Riches

The wealth gained in this battle was worth noting in the verse. As part of the conquest, Clovis conquered the Visigoth's capital at Toulouse and took the royal treasury with all of its wealth and famous ancient treasures (treasures of Solomon) into his possession ("great riches"). Mention of this wealth is made in Procopius' account:

"Then they [Franks] took possession of the greater part of Gaul and held it; and they laid siege to Carcasiana with great enthusiasm, because they had learned that the royal treasure was there, which Alaric the elder in earlier times had taken as booty when he captured Rome. Among these were also the treasures of Solomon, the king of the Hebrews, a most noteworthy sight. For the most of them were adorned with emeralds; and they had been taken from Jerusalem by the Romans in ancient times" (Procopius. "Procopius History of the Wars, Books V. and VI." Translated by H.B. Dewing. Page 129.).

The Holy Covenant

The "prince of the covenant", Jesus, was killed in verse 22. Jesus had confirmed a covenant with many in Daniel 9:27. That covenant, established at so dear a cost, is now in verse 28 being undermined and hated by many, even officially by nations. In order for Clovis' heart to be against the holy covenant, he had to reject Jesus' saving ministry as outlined in the Bible. In verse 30 we learn that not only did he reject and abhor ("have indignation against") true Biblical Christiantiy, but he studied and had regard for the substitute mediatorial system of the papacy ("them that forsake the holy covenant").

After the victory and capture of the treasure, Clovis returned to Tours in 508 ("return into his land"). In honor of the victory and to gain favor with a potential ally, Emperor Anastasius granted Clovis both honorary consulate and the patriciate ("The Battle of Vouille, 507 CE Where France Began". Page 87-88.). Clovis was a highly honored Nicene Christian king in the divided realm of Rome, which set him apart from other rulers. By converting to Catholicism, he rejected Biblical Christianity and promoted the papacy's version of Christianity ("heart shall be against the holy covenant"). This religious development in the realm was emphasized in these verses, which parallels right along with Daniel's previous prophecies. Evidence of Clovis' conversion to catholicism can be seen in Clovis' actions after the battle. He ordered all captured Catholics to be released, and reconsecrated churches and priests for the catholic faith. He ordered a council, assembling bishops and promoting unity of faith, which was held in 511 as the Council of Orleans. The council granted the church great privileges. In the years 506 to 511, Clovis fashioned the Franks into a catholic nation ("The Battle of Vouille, 507 CE Where France Began". Page 148.).

SUMMARY:

"29 At the time appointed [538 - 1798] he shall return, and come toward the south [in 538, the Franks joined in the Gothic wars in Italy]; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter [this time the Franks didn't win like they did before]. 30 For the ships of Chittim [navy from Cyprus, the Byzantines, the naval power who ruled Cyprus at that time] shall come against him [the Byzantines, the very power that had requested the Franks to help in the Gothic wars, had found the Franks actually wanted Italy for themselves and ended up defeating the Franks in 554 at the Battle of the Volturnus]: therefore he [KON - Franks] shall be grieved [the Frank's desire to rule in Italy, which they had schemed and worked to achieve for many years, was thwarted], and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant [the Franks continued to reject Biblical Christianity]: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant [the Franks would find another way to control Italy by understanding the papacy's key position there and paying attention to them, thus following after those who were already defying Biblical Christianity]."

DETAIL:

When the Franks defeated the Visigoths at the Battle of Vouille, the Franks continued to take over much of Aquitaine. But, they were stopped from expanding south to the Mediterranean or into Italy by threats of Theodoric and the Visigoth stand at Arles. Theodoric, the Ostrogoth ruler, who couldn't join the battle until 508, helped stop further advance. Even so, this decisive battle broke Visigoth and Ostrogoth domination in Western Europe and the future belonged to the rising Franks.

In 535, the Ostrogoth and Byzantine wars for Italy began. Both parties appealed to the Franks for help, but the Franks had plans to exert their own claims in Italy and deceived both parties. Interestingly, it wasn't until 538 AD ("the time appointed" [538-1798]) that the Franks engaged in the war ("return, and come toward the south"). Seeking to expand his own kingdom, Theudebert I (grandson of Clovis, reigned 533-548), an ally of the Byzantines, secretly sent a Burgundian army to aid the Ostrogoths against the Byzantines in the siege of Milan in 538. In 539 they sent a large Frankish army that plundered northern Italy, and surprised everyone by defeating both the Ostrogoths and the Byzantines at the River Po in 539. Next, while the Goths were besieged in Ravenna (their capital) as the Byzantine fleet cut off supplies, the Franks proposed that the Goths divide Italy with them, which was refused.

The Byzantines succeeded in restoring their rule in Italy by 540, but the Ostrogoths began to rally their forces and retake key areas. By 550 the Goths had created a navy of 400 warships to contest the Byzantine mastery of the sea and attempt to deny the Byzantines easy access to Italy. The Goths made a treaty with the Franks agreeing to let them keep the land they had seized. The Byzantines returned to retake Italy in 551 and defeated the inexperienced Goth fleet in the autumn of 551 at the Battle of Sena Gallica (the last major sea battle for more than a century). This began a series of Byzantine successes.

After Narses defeated the Goths at the Battle of Mons Lactarius (552 or 553), the Franks attempted to take advantage of the situation and invade the recently reconquered Italian lands. King Theudebald of the Franks (son of Theodebert I, reigned 547/548 to 555) sent two Alamanni chieftains, Leutharis and Butilinus, to lead an army of 75,000 Frank and Alemanni soldiers to invade Italy. They took the town of Parma in 553, defeating the Heruli (allies of Ostrogoths), took central Italy in 554 and then continued south. The Franks aimed to make Italy part of the Frankish kingdom. However, in 554, Butilinus' army met the Byzantines in the Battle of Casilinum (aka Battle of the Volturnus) where the Franks were soundly defeated ("ships of Chittim shall come against him"). This victory for Narses signaled the triumph of the Byzantines in Italy and the remaining pockets of resistance were subjugated over the next several years (554-562).

In 507, the Byzantines had asked the Franks to drive the Visigoths out of Gaul (11:25-28). In 535, the Byzantines asked the Franks to help drive the Visigoth's close ally, the Ostrogoths, out of Italy (11:29-30). However, this last time it turned out differently because when the Franks did go south in 538 they would eventually lose because they ended up fighting against the Byzantines ("ships of Chittim"). They didn't have victory like they did before ("did not turn out the way it did before"). Instead, in 554 they ended up being driven back by the Byzantines ("ships of Chittim shall come against him").

The Franks had wanted to claim Italy for themselves. Their desire to rule in Italy, which they had schemed and worked to achieve for many years, was thwarted ("he shall be grieved"). However, they would find another way and would now focus on building up power with their ever-more important Italian ally, the papacy in Rome ("them that forsake the holy covenant"). When the Byzantines caused the Ostrogoths to withdraw from the city of Rome in 538, the Byzantine decree that made the papacy the head of the churches could be put into action in the city of Rome, freeing the papacy to build up independence and become extremely influential. The Franks saw the developments and had regard for the papacy, understanding the papacy's position ("have intelligence with them") and knew that the papacy was the Franks' key to dominance in Italy and beyond. This proved to be the exact case as these two powers went on to unite and rule the realm for hundreds of years.

Ships of Chittim

Chittim, or Kittim, was a name used in Bible times, which referred to Cyprus (For more information on Kittim, see Dr. Michael Younker's presentation and Elder Brenden Valiant's presentation at the 2020 Daniel 11 Conference.). Since Daniel 11 is a literal interpretation of a symbolic vision, it is not here introducing a new symbol. So, just like Edom (verse 43) refers to the area of Edom as understood in bible times, the "ships of Chittim" would refer to ships from Cyprus. Who ruled the area of Cyprus during the time of this verse? The Byzantine empire (Eastern Rome) ruled Cyprus from 395 to 1191 AD, which includes the timeframe of this verse, and were well-known for their mastery of the sea. They are here referenced as the "ships of Chittim", playing a major role in the story.



SUMMARY:

"31 And arms [strong ones, force, Byzantines] shall stand on his [the papacy's - "them that forsake the holy covenant"] part [Pope Vigilius requested the Byzantine emperor Justinian to issue the Pragmatic Sanction of 554, which officially put Justinian's laws into effect in Italy, making the papacy an integral component of civil government and the papacy's religion enforced], and they [Byzantine-Papal alliance] shall pollute the sanctuary of strength [wound the heavenly sanctuary], and shall take away the daily sacrifice [divert attention away from Jesus' continual ministry in the heavenly sanctuary and to the papacy's earthly substitute system of priestly mediation and forgiveness], and they [Byzantine-Papal alliance] shall place the abomination that maketh desolate [will establish the devastating revolt, which is the substitute mediatorial system of the papacy integrated into government]."

DETAIL:

Just like the precedent in previous verses, the defeat of the Franks by the Byzantine-Papal alliance signals that the focus has now shifted away from the Franks to the papacy ("them that forsake the holy covenant") and the next major significant event to affect the realm. The papacy was propped up by state powers as being ecclesiastically dominant throughout the 1260 years (538-1798), but this verse points to the time when the power of the state was used to integrate the papal system into government. The Byzantines ("ships of Chittim") were initially the power that did this, as emperor Justinian desired to unify the empire with both religion and politics under his control. To this end, He issued the Pragmatic Sanction, which created a church-state government ("abomination that maketh desolate").

The Pragmatic Sanction

Justinian's Pragmatic Sanction, issued in 554 AD after defeating the Ostrogoths and Franks in the previous verse, declared the eastern empire's final victory and outlined how Italy would be incorporated into the empire. Justinian's edicts and laws, which he had made and assembled for decades, were already in Italy by edict, but could now be enforced because of his victory. The decree stated:

"The laws, moreover, and the statutes included in our Code, which have long ago been sent into Italy by edict, shall be in force. The constitutions, too, which we thereafter promulgated, shall be published by edict, and shall be in force in the land of Italy from the time that they were made public by edict, so that the state being united by God's will, the authority of our laws shall also be extended everywhere" (Josip Banic (ed.), Fontes Istrie medievalis, vol. 1: A seculo VI usque ad 803, doc. 554_IPS, fontesistrie.eu/554_IPS (last access: 01-01-2022).).

Justinian was determined to unify the empire under his rule, politically and religiously. In order to do this he established the papacy's position, as the head of all the churches, into the framework of his government. "Nothing could have made more plain Justinian's overpowering, personal commitment to maintaining the 'orthodox' Catholic faith in every city of his empire. And the 'orthodoxy' of Justinian was the basis of his claim, as Roman emperor, to universal rule" ("The Rise of Western Christendom". Peter Brown. Page 193.).

The Pragmatic Sanction was requested by the pope ("arms shall stand on his" [the papacy's] "part"). The decree begins as follows: "Upon petition of Vigilius, venerable bishop of ancient Rome, we have thought it best to make some directions which are for the benefit of all those who live in the West" (FIM, 1: doc. 554_IPS.).

In addition to the edicts already issued and now to be enforced, the Pragmatic Sanction also included additional laws:

• Magistrates would be chosen by bishops and chief men of each region (#12).
• Forced sale of private property for public purposes would be judged by bishops and the primates of each place (#18).
• The pope and the Roman senate were given control of weights and measures (#19).

The Sanctuary of Strength

The "sanctuary of strength" as a reference to the heavenly sanctuary, parallels Daniel's previous prophecies that go into much detail about the heavenly sanctuary where Jesus is ministering for us. In Daniel 8:11-13, the sanctuary is cast down and trampled on, in conjunction with the taking away of the daily sacrifice. Here in Daniel 11, the sanctuary is wounded (polluted, stained), also in conjuction with the taking away of the daily sacrifice. The heavenly sanctuary is eventually cleansed of all the defilement at the end of the 2300 years of Daniel 8:14.

The Placing of the Abomination That Maketh Desolate

In 554, by official decree, the papacy, a religious organization, was set up to operate within the framework of government in extraordinary ways. The Byzantines did this in 554 when they retook Italy and issued the Pragmatic Sanction. The papacy's teachings offer an earthly system of priestly mediation and forgiveness. This is idolatry, an astonishing abomination, where a man (the pope) places himself in the place of Jesus. Jesus is our true high priest, in the true sanctuary in heaven, mediating for His people continually. When the eastern emperor reconquered Italy and issued the Pragmatic Sanction, he set up the papacy's integrated role in government and thus he established this substitute mediatorial system by force of arms. The Bible describes this state-integrated papal system as the "abomination of desolation" (11:31) (idolatry/unfaithfulness that devastates) and the "transgression of desolation" (8:13) (an astonishing revolt). This marked the start of the 1290 years (12:11), after which the damage done to Jesus' ministry in the true sanctuary by the revolt would be put right and the sanctuary would be cleansed (8:14).

In other words, by officially establishing the papacy's rebellion, by law, as part of the structure of government, the Byzantine-papal alliance established a state-church system ("place the abomination that maketh desolate"), which diverted souls away from Jesus' ministry ("daily sacrifice"), and instead pointed them to the papacy's substitute earthly system of priestly mediation, thus wounding the heavenly sanctuary ("sanctuary of strength").

Jesus, when speaking of the abomination of desolation in Daniel, revealed that the Roman army, specifically in the context of standing where they "ought not", was the abomination of desolation. The appearance of Roman armies around Jerusalem and the earthly sanctuary would indicate that its desolation was about to occur (Luke 21:20). When His people would see the abomination of desolation (Roman armies standing where they "ought not"), it was time to flee (Matt. 24:15, Mark 13:14). In like manner, in the middle ages, when the Roman armies stood where they ought not by getting involved in spiritual matters and "surrounding" the church, then the desolation would occur to the heavenly sanctuary ("sanctuary of strength"). Christians would then need to flee from fierce persecution for many years (Dan. 11:32-35).

Taking Away the "Daily Sacrifice"

In Daniel 8:11-12, the "daily sacrifice" is also mentioned:

"Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered."

In this passage, the power being discussed, the "little horn", represents the Roman realm after it transitioned into it's church-state phase (upwards instead of horizontal wars - Dan. 8:9-10). In verse 11, Jesus' ministry of forgiveness and sanctification ("daily sacrifice") for His church is taken from Jesus ("prince of the host"), and given to papal-led Rome ("given him"). Also, the place where this work is performed for the church, the heavenly sanctuary ("place of His sanctuary"), is cast down as the heavenly focus turned earthward.

It wasn't fully revealed how this was accomplished until now in chapter 11. In chapter 8, we just know that these were taken away from Jesus (see ESV), and in verse 12, God's people ("host") and the ministry of forgiveness and sanctification ("daily sacrifice") were given to the papal-led Roman realm (see the NASB). Now here in Daniel 11, we learn how this was achieved as the Byzantine-papal alliance reconquered Italy and issued the Pragmatic Sanction in 554 AD, which enabled them to implement/enforce prior edicts, integrate the papal system into government and enforce the papal substitute mediatorial system. Thus, in Daniel 11:31, they would "place the abomination" or firmly establish the rebellion through an integrated church-state government.

• 538 AD - Papacy became ecclesiastically dominant (declared head of churches and then freed to develop independently when the Ostrogoths withdrew from Rome in 538).
• 554 AD - Papacy integrated into state government.

The 1290 years

"And 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" (Dan. 12:11).

A quick bit of math reveals that 554 AD, the year of the decree that established the rebellion of the papacy by force of arms through government integration, plus 1290 years, equals 1844.

554 AD
+ 1290 Years
____________
= 1844 AD

The prophecy of the 2,300 days in Daniel 8 extends to 1844, and this important date is confirmed again here in Daniel 11. Compare the two prophecies below:



Notice that both Daniel 12:11 and Daniel 8:13-14 tie together the taking away of the daily sacrifice and the abomination/transgression of desolation with a time prophecy. The time prophecy in Daniel 8, the 2300 years, ends in 1844. It would make sense for the time prophecy in Daniel 12:11, which is about the same events, to also end in 1844. And this it does, pointing to the exact same date and firmly establishing 1844 as the beginning of the cleansing of the sanctuary (Dan. 8:14). This helpful repeating of important events and dates, revealed through different ways, is what we see throughout Daniel's prophecies. Here is one more piece to the prophetic puzzle to strengthen our faith in God's Word and our trust in the certainty of His promises to bring an utter end to sin and establish forever those who walk by faith in the sanctuary with Him.

The people who forsook Biblical Christianity and those religious leaders who received high positions in government were flattered by the attention ("corrupt by flatteries"). But, the people who knew God stood firm and took action ("do exploits") to counteract the errors.

As seen in other prophecies, God's people are given into the hand of persecuting Roman church-state powers for 1260 years (538 to 1798 AD). This period began when the Ostrogoths withdrew from Rome in 538, leaving the papacy free to exercise its ecclesiastical dominance and establish its independence and influence on state powers. Many state powers participated in persecuting Christians and others who did not adhere to papal beliefs. The Byzantines set the stage for this largely in 554, but the Franks were already well on their way to similar behavior, which would spread throughout the rulers of the Roman realm. Many brave souls were killed with the sword and burned at the stake ("by flame"), put in prison ("captivity"), and persecuted through bribery and convincing others to kill them in order to get their property ("spoil"). Despite intense persecution, God's people ("they that understand") still spread the gospel ("instruct many"), including Columba's missionaries, the Waldenses, Albigenses and Hussites. Many fell and there was no one to help them. When Protestantism and the reformation became more popular, some joined through false motives and didn't really help the cause ("cleave to them with flatteries"), but perhaps gained advantages in areas where protestants ruled. God's people would endure this situation until the time of the end (after the "time appointed" - 538-1798). Note: The "time of the end" begins when the scattering of God's people ends and the ecclesiastical supremacy of the papacy ends (1798 AD - see Daniel 12). The papacy is here described as the king that wants to take the place of God ("magnify himself above every god"). We know from multiple other prophecies that this describes the Roman church of the middle ages. The Papacy set itself up as if it was God on earth and was allowed to have ecclesiastical supremacy for 1260 years ("till the indignation be accomplished"). This prophecy characterizes these actions as blasphemous ("speak marvellous things against the God of gods"). As indicated in the verses, the papacy regarded a different God than that of the early Christians ("God of his fathers"). It was an offshoot from the true church. It also promoted celibacy ("desire of women"). It put its own decrees above all other churches and above the Bible itself ("magnify himself above all").

Notes: In 752, the papacy began crowing emperors. The perception was that if a king wanted to be the ruler of a Christian nation, then he would need the blessing of the recognized leader of Christianity. The papacy could achieve success through threat of excommunication and releasing subjects from their oaths of loyalty.

During the reign of Pope Innocent III (1198 - 1216 AD), the most powerful pope in history, the title "Vicar of Christ" was claimed for the popes, after which it has consistently been used since.

The papacy is symbolized by the "stout horn" in Daniel 7. It is the horn that uprooted three of the other 10 horns on the 4th beast. This qualitifies it as a division of Rome and thus it is eligible to become a king of the north or a king of the south. However, the verses that describe the papacy, do not mention the KON or KOS. Verse 36 just mentions "the king", so the emphasis during the remaining 1260 years was not on warring kings/divisions but on the persecution of God's people and the blasphemy of the king that caused it. The papacy was weak on its own. It exerted power by convincing state powers to cooperate. It placed its hope in the support of the state ("god of fortresses"). This sort of approach was not done by the early Christians ("whom his fathers knew not") who placed their hope in Jesus Christ. Kings and popes would collect images and costly relics. Popes would find relics and send costly gifts to various rulers ("honour with gold, and silver"). Indulgences were sold to build extravagant cathedrals. The papacy was enabled to accomplish all these things (verses 36-39) via state political powers.

So, the Papacy not only exalted itself in the religious sphere, but also in the political sphere. It convinced state powers to persecute its citizens and enforce religious laws for the 1260 years during its ecclesiastically dominant phase. But, it especially exalted itself in the political arena from 752 to 1299, during its politically dominant phase.

The papacy reached the apex of its power during the reign of Pope Innocent III. He exercised influence over Christian states and claimed supremacy over all of the realm's kings. He is known for increased involvement in imperial elections and for calling a council (the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215 AD) to modify the law in furthering his power as the universal authority in the realm. Innocent issued the "Papal Decree on the choice of a German King, 1201," which he used to force the acceptance of his choice of the three men contesting to become emperor. In it he said

"it is the business of the pope to look after the interests of the Roman empire, since the empire derives its origin and its final authority from the papacy; its origin, because it was originally transferred from Greece by and for the sake of the papacy...its final authority, because the emperor is raised to his position by the pope who blesses him, crowns him, and invests him with the empire" (Medieval Sourcebook: Innocent III (r.1198-1216): Letters on Papal Polices, Fordham.edu, http://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/innIII-policies.asp.).

During the middle ages, feudalism developed as the Franks expanded territory under the Carolingian dynasty. The relationship between lord and vassal evolved. This type of system forms a pyramid of power, where loyalty at each level ensures its strength. At the top of the pyramid was the king who ruled by divine right, followed by the nobles, knights, and freeman. The pope had the right to intervene in the case of an unjust king and impose sanctions, forfeit his kingdom or depose a king. This system was especially prevalent from the 9th to the 15th centuries. The church became integrated into this system as an organization and as individual clergymen. By 1200 AD, during Pope Innocent III's reign, the papacy had more vassals than the other temporal rulers. Papal fiefs included England, Poland, Sicily, Sweden, Denmark, Portugal and Aragon. Pope Innocent III was known to drive out existing feudal lords and threaten with excommunication anyone who refused to acknowledge his supremacy. Thus, the papacy not only used the state ("strange god") and gave legitimacy to its rulers ("cause them to rule over many"), but also controlled much land and would parcel out land for a price or distribute land as a reward ("shall divide the land for gain"). Feudalism gradually faded over the next several hundred years. France officially abolished it during the French Revolution in 1789.

We now proceed to the time of the end, which is the emphasis of the angel's explanation. "I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days" (Dan. 10:14). The angel now unfolds to Daniel what would happen to Daniel's people ("thy people"), the jewish nation, during the time of the end (1798 to the Second Coming). (See more about interpreting "thy people" literally in Daniel 10:14.)

Continue to Daniel 11:40-45 >
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