Daniel 11 Commentary

The Lord graciously supports and influences earthly rulers through His mighty power so that His eternal purposes may be fulfilled.

Daniel 11:2 traces the line of Persian power while signaling a pivotal clash with Greece.

This verse reveals God’s hand in shaping world events.

God’s sovereignty shatters all human ambition.

This verse shows how swiftly worldly power can shift from one kingdom to another.

This verse highlights the short-lived nature of earthly alliances and reminds us that God’s sovereignty transcends political treaties.

This verse reveals God’s hand in raising a new leader to avenge wrongdoing, proving that even in the midst of political intrigue, divine oversight remains firmly in place.

This verse shows that there will be a temporary truce after a triumphant raid on sacred objects.

The verse highlights the fleeting success of earthly powers and the certainty of God’s sovereign control.

Antiochus III and his slain brother Seleucus III exemplify how the sons of the northern king mustered huge armies, marched through the lands, and renewed war, confirming the precise fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy.

God’s sovereignty prevails even over the greatest of human conflicts.

His temporary victory reminds us that human pride inevitably fails to secure lasting triumph.

God emphasizes His control over all nations: no kingdom is impervious to His will.

This verse highlights that attempts to force the fulfillment of God’s vision without His direction end in failure.

Daniel 11:15 depicts the king of the North decisively overtaking the king of the South, demonstrating that even fortified strongholds cannot stand when God’s plan unfolds.

This verse depicts a powerful ruler invading the sacred territory of Israel, dominating his foes, yet remaining under God’s overarching plan.

This verse illustrates how earthly alliances and power plays inevitably fall short of divine hopes.

In short, Daniel 11:18 foretells a monarch’s swift turn to new lands and the immediate downfall he suffers at the hands of a greater power, demonstrating that no earthly empire can stand apart from God’s governing will.

This verse depicts how prideful ambition comes to an abrupt end under God’s sovereign hand and foreshadows a greater kingdom that shall never fail.

God can use even the unexpected downfall of a ruler to fulfill His redemptive plan in human history.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes seized power through deceit, threatened religious freedom, and foreshadowed the destructive influence of future tyrants.

The verse shows how human ambition and political intrigue often collide with divine providence, resulting in sudden turns of fortune.

This verse demonstrates that deceptive alliances and small beginnings can lead to significant influence in world affairs.

He achieved short-lived success through cunning and generosity, but his time of prosperity soon faded.

Daniel 11:25 illustrates a momentous conflict between the king of the North and the king of the South, highlighting that deceit and betrayal eclipse sheer military might.

This verse foretells a betrayal and defeat that underscores the theme of political intrigue and divine sovereignty.

Even the most carefully orchestrated human plans will fail in comparison to the appointed times set by God.

Antiochus’s brief success and subsequent opposition foreshadow the reality that those who trust in God’s promises must remain faithful despite any temporary threats posed by oppressive regimes.

This verse demonstrates how God’s design prevails over even the most determined ambitions of human rulers.

He faced a humiliating defeat abroad that led to destructive fury at home.

This verse depicts the grave desecration of God’s temple at the hands of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, prefiguring the eventual triumph of the Lord’s purposes despite human defiance.

Those who remain loyal to God will inevitably stand firm when deception and spiritual compromise creep in.

This verse reminds us that faithful teachers guide others to God’s truth, even in the face of severe persecution.

Many will experience help in times of trouble, but true faithfulness should never yield to hypocrisy.

This verse reveals that trials can serve God’s greater purpose by refining His faithful people.

God maintains ultimate authority, and all human power remains subservient to His sovereign will.

He will exalt himself over every earthly and spiritual authority, but his reign is fleeting under the unshakable rule of the Most High.

This verse warns of the danger in exalting human power above the true God.

This verse portrays a powerful leader who uses corrupt and manipulative means to secure and hold power.

Daniel 11:40 vividly depicts a prophesied end-time attack by the kings of the South and North, whose sweeping campaigns lead to an overwhelming invasion under God’s ultimate control.

This verse emphasizes God’s continued sovereignty over nations and events.

The ruler’s expansion into Egypt exemplifies the temporary triumph of earthly power under God’s sovereign plan.

He will plunder Egypt’s treasures and extend his power into neighboring lands, but God’s sovereignty remains unchanged.

He unleashes deadly force when frightened by rumors, demonstrating how pride and fear can spark immense suffering.

He will display his might near the pinnacle of Israel’s devotion, only to meet his swift demise, proving that God alone reigns and that no challenge to His authority can endure.