Read: Daniel 11:2-35; 1 John 1:7-24; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 29:1
Michael continues his talk with Daniel and tells him of the next three kings which were Ahasurus, Artaxerxes, and Darius. The fourth was Esther’s Xerxes. During his reign Persia reached it’s height. But one greater than him took over the world named Alexander the Great from Greece. His kingdom became divided into four parts and eventually was overthrown by the king of the South: Ptolemy Soter. Seleucus was his first satrap who became stronger than the king (vs. 5).
Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus of Egypt wanted to end his war with Antiochus Theus, "king of the north" (Syria) so he gave Berenice to Antiochus, who divorced his former wife, Laodice, and disinherited her son, Seleucus Callinicus.
When Ptolemy died, Antiochus took back his former wife, Laodice. She then poisoned him, and caused Berenice and her son to be put to death, and raised her own son, Seleucus Nicator, to the throne. (Talk about a good soap opera!)
Ptolemy Euergetes, the brother of Berenice, succeeding in the place Ptolemyof Philadelphus, and avenged her death by overrunning Syria, to the Euphrates River (vs. 7).
When Ptolemy heard what happened in Egypt, he returned with silver and all sorts of treasures including Egyptian idols making the Egyptians very grateful (vs. 8). His sons were Seleucus Ceranunus and Antiochus the Great. Seleucus fell off his horse and died but his brother fought and recovered the land of Syria from Antiochus. He gave him a four month truce but then returned. Instead of capturing of the whole of Syria, he made peace with Antiochus and fell into great sin. He lost power and profaned the temple of God by entering the holy place (vs. 12).
He returned 14 years later to make war with Ptolemy Epiphanes who was only a child. The king of Macedon (Phillip) joined Antiochus against Epiphanes. Many Jews helped Antiochus with provisions, which helped God fulfill his purpose (vs. 14), though it failed to make Judea independent which was their goal. Antiochus the Great, the king of the north met Antiochus and was defeated. Instead of giving Judah back their land, he made Judea the headquarters of his military operations. Antiochus gave Epiphanes his daughter, Cleopatra, in marriage along with the promise of Syria and Judea as a dowry to have peace with Rome. He hoped his daughter would gain territory for him but she sided with her husband and he had to fight for territory he wanted. He took the isles of the Aegean from the Romans. He and his soldiers were killed trying to rob the temple of Jupiter by night to pay the tribute imposed by Rome. His son, Seleucus was made king in his stead. Seluecus sent Heliodorus to Jerusalem to plunder the temple. After reigning for 12 years, Heliodorus tried to usurp the kingdom from Seluecus by poisoning him. Instead, Antiochus Ephiphanes, Seleucus’ brother succeeded the throne.
Antiochus Ephiphanes was considered a madman. He would carouse with the lowest of the people, bathe with them in the public baths, and foolishly jest and throw stones at passers-by.
He took Egypt with craft and power. Under the guise of friendship he would move into a territory with a small army but then master it and take it by force. He subdued Jerusalem also but the time was limited by God.
He was a type of the Antichrist. He defended the priests who worshipped saints and strange gods. He worshipped Jupiter. and ruled over the Jews, dividing their land.
For time’s sake I’m going to skip to the end. Antiochus desecrated the holy ground of Jerusalem by bringing in Roman gods, constructing Muslim mosques, but in the end he will be brought down to hell.
John encourages us to walk in righteousness. It is our rightful inheritance. We are no longer slaves to sin but sons of righteousness. Our righteousness is our confidence that we are God’s children.
Lord, help us to walk in your righteousness with confidence and power knowing that it is Christ in us!
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