Page 338 - Daniel

THE EVIL OF ANTIOCHUS (11:27–28)

11:27–28 “And as for the two kings, their hearts shall be bent on

doing evil. They shall speak lies at the same table, but to no avail, for
the end is yet to be at the time appointed. And he shall return to his
land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the holy
covenant. And he shall work his will and return to his own land.”

The struggle between Syria and Egypt led to various agreements that
did not prosper. Neither the rulers of Egypt nor Syria were honorable in
their agreements. As the last part of verse 27 makes clear, in spite of all
his intrigue, Antiochus was fulfilling prophecy on God’s timetable.

Returning from Egypt with great riches, he began to manifest his hatred
against the people of Israel and his covetousness in relation to the
wealth of the temple. This is indicated in the statement, “his heart shall
be set against the holy covenant.” 41

ANTIOCHUS PERSECUTES THE JEWS (11:29–31)

11:29–31 “At the time appointed he shall return and come into the
south, but it shall not be this time as it was before. For ships of Kittim
shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw, and shall
turn back and be enraged and take action against the holy covenant.
He shall turn back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy

covenant. Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and
fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall
set up the abomination that makes desolate.”

In his final expedition against Egypt, “at the time appointed”—that is,
by God—Antiochus’s success was not as great as in former expeditions.
This seems to be what is meant by “but it shall not be this time as it was
before.” The invasion ground to a halt when Antiochus was met near
Alexandria by Roman consul Gaius Popillius Laenas, who summarily

demanded that Antiochus leave Egypt at the pain of being attacked by
Rome. The Roman consul is reported by Polybius to have drawn a circle
about the king and told him that his decision had to be reached before
he stepped out of the circle. 42