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intersectional conflict, as Ironside interprets it. In this case, this entire
passage does not refer to the world ruler. Another view is to identify the
king of the north as the Antichrist and the future world ruler. This is the
position of Young, who states, “The two opponents are the Anti-christ
and the king of the South, who begins the battle by pushing or butting
(cf. 8:4) against his enemy.” 65
The best interpretation, however, is that the main actor, the king of
11:36, is the final great world ruler. Leupold supports this view and
considers the entire section to indicate a defeat of the invading armies
and the triumph of the king until the end. He writes, “The variety of the
resources that are to be employed against the Antichrist indicate how
great his power must be at the latter end—‘chariots, horsemen, and
many ships.’ But the Antichrist will not be slow to repel the attack. He
himself shall ‘come into these lands,’ that is, the lands of those who have
assailed him, and ‘shall sweep along and pass through.’” The major
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revelation here, therefore, is that the king of 11:36, although engaged in
bitter struggle, continues to dominate the situation until he comes to his
end at the second coming of Jesus Christ.
His counterattack on those who have assailed him results in his
entering into their countries and occupying “the glorious land”—
referring to the Holy Land and many other countries, including Egypt. It
appears, however, that he does not completely restore the situation, as it
is stated that Edom and Moab and most of the Ammonites escape. His
victory is such that he is able to increase greatly his treasures of gold
and silver and obtain precious things from Egypt. From this point on,
however, his authority is supported only insofar as his military
campaigns are able to occupy various countries. His world empire,
apparently originating in a decree that at that time was not contested, no
longer remains intact. What is pictured in these verses is an extended
military campaign that begins with the Antichrist’s forces invading Israel
and then moving south into Egypt and northern Africa.
THE FINAL BATTLES (11:44–45)
11:44–45 “But news from the east and the north shall alarm him, and
he shall go out with great fury to destroy and devote many to