The Life of Daniel (20)

The last part of the book of Daniel is not to be chronologically placed after the rule of King Darius. Chapters 7-12 comprise the visions of the four beasts, the revelation of the seventy weeks of years, and finally the struggles of the wicked powers in the world against God and His kingdom. There will not only be terrible events and judgments of God upon Israel, but we also read what will be experienced in the latter days by God’s Church, Jews and Gentiles. However, also in these days the Lord is above all the disturbances, strife, and battles of the nations, and He will certainly attain His ultimate object, the final completion of His kingdom on earth.

A mighty ruler

We read here of the rise of Antiochus Epiphanes. Scripture tells us that he was a despised person, but by flatteries and enticement and also with violence, he would become a powerful ruler. He was actually by origin a captured slave from Rome, a despised person. As Absalom in the days of King David, by feigned kindness and flattery he won over the king of Pergamos for his cause.

We will now consider the second part of this chapter; the rise of Antiochus is portrayed in verses 21-24. He ultimately would obtain regal dignity which did not belong to him. In verses 25-28 we read of his first campaign against Egypt. This appeared to have been successful, for in verse 28 we read that he returned with great riches. However, the following verse speaks of another expedition against Egypt which was not so successful. The Romans helped Egypt and chased him away.

Then his rage was turned “against the holy covenant” (verse 30). That does not mean a holy people, but Israel was still a people highly privileged by God as His own people. Jerusalem was the place where the true God was worshiped, and the rage of the enemy was actually not only against the Jews but against the God whom Antiochus Epiphanes did not acknowledge but before whom he once would stand to give an account of his horrible deeds.

We read in verses 30-35 about persecution and oppression of the Jewish people. In verse 31 we read what Antiochus Epiphanes did to the temple; his armed forces would stand as guards in the temple of Jerusalem, and what is the worst, we read in verse 31, “they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength.” The temple will be desecrated, an altar of a heathen god erected in the sacred place, and even the worship of God and the bringing of sacrifices shall cease to exist. Oh, how must the God-fearing Israelite, the remnant that the Lord would have preserved in those days, have mourned? It seemed that God had forsaken them.

In many places in the world today, the Church of God is persecuted also; people cannot come together in God’s house. There is place only for the idolatrous worship of the state, and compliance with what the government dictates is required; otherwise, prison camps, tortures, and the rage of the enemy are waiting for them. The country of China is an example of the power of state which the anti-Christian rulers have over the people. No, the enemy will not always come with open threats. He is even more dangerous when he comes with what we read in verse 32, “shall he corrupt by flatteries.”

However, even in the time when this heathen king oppresses them, there will be a people “that do know their God” (verse 32). There will be those that “understand among the people” (verse 33), those who may point out others to the way of wisdom. In verse 34 we read, “They shall be holpen with a little help.” It is the time of the uprising of the Jews under the leadership of Judas Maccabeus. Verse 35 says that “some of them of understanding shall fall” in this time of testing. The chaff will be separated also from the true grain. However, “it is yet for a time appointed.” Whatever happened in those terrible days when Antiochus Epiphanes seemed to be allowed to do whatever he wished, it was for a time appointed, that is, God ruled even when the temple service had been made impossible.

Is this not a picture of the situation in our countries? Is it not a time of testing already? Will it not be a wonder if pressure increases, and persecution is everywhere so that we would appear to be nothing but chaff? It will only be God’s preserving grace if we are kept.

Human pride

There is a poison in all of our blood, the poison of human pride. In Paradise we have listened to the liar from the beginning, to his promise that “ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” That is exactly what we see happening in our days but what also lives in our own hearts. It is only God’s restraining grace if it is not made manifest in our actions. It is the spirit of the time to worship the idol of self and to deny any absolute authority. Not the Lord, but we make our own laws; we will decide what is good and evil, and no one else has to tell us this. Then not only do men make laws, laws which the Lord says are evil, but everyone is forced to agree with this idol worship. What a blessing it is if our eyes are open and we see what we really are. From verse 36 and following, we read about the character of Antiochus Epiphanes.

1. He is sovereign, “and the king shall do according to his will.”

2. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, so he assumed divinity. How clearly we see here not only the character of this ungodly ruler but a picture of the antichrist. We read of him in 2 Thessalonians 2:4, “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”

3. He will speak marvelous things against the God of gods. It means that his sayings, because of their blasphemous character, will cause astonishment.

4. He shall prosper, that is, he will be successful in his impious course.

5. He will have no regard for the God of his fathers (verse 37), no regard for the desire of women. We read this expression “the love of women” also in 2 Samuel 1:26 where David says “thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.” That desire is human love.

It is as if there is no natural love anymore, no affection, no tenderness for that which should be the object of love and care. Calvin says, “This king, then, should cultivate neither piety nor humanity.” What a terrible picture which, though they were cruel people, did not apply to Antiochus or Herod but to him who as a god will sit in the temple. Also, the next verses in the chapter show that the antichrist has no piety or reverence toward any god whatsoever. He himself demands to be worshiped as a god and that the people unconditionally follow his dictates and requirements.

Comfort

You might say, what a depressing picture we read in this prophecy. Is this all that we can learn from this portion? We may not soften the truth as so often is done in our days, the truth of God’s justice but also the truth of the hatred of His enemies. It is a blessing if we may learn to know that truth experientially in our own lives so that we become before God who we are; then we see that we also are bitter enemies of Christ and His redeeming work. However, there is, indeed, comfort even in this chapter. We read in our Heidelberg Catechism in Lord’s Day 48 about the violence “which would exalt itself against Thee; and also, all wicked councils devised against Thy holy Word; till the full perfection of Thy kingdom take place, wherein Thou shalt be all in all.” It does not say “so that” perfection takes place, but till, that is certainty! That we also read in verse 36 of this chapter “and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.”

Even in previous verses there are some small indications that the reign of the antichrist will be temporary. Examples:

1. Verse 24—“even for a time”

2. Verse 27—“for yet the end shall be at the time appointed”

3. Verse 29—“at the time appointed”

4. Verse 35—“even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed”

That also appeared to be the truth of the life of this wicked Antiochus Epiphanes. We read in verse 45, “Yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” That was the end of one who magnified himself as a god. Another Ruler will come. In the next chapter you can read of Him. Young and old, what will your end be? Will it be like Antiochus but also the end of all who remain enemies of God? Then you will come to your end and none shall help you. Oh, fall yet before the Lord into the dust and supplicate Him to make you willing at the day of His power. Blessed are those whose hope also in our perilous times may be upon the great Ruler, the King of kings, the precious Lord Jesus. He is the Refuge, also in our days, in all our afflictions, for those who flee to Him.

(To be continued)

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