Page 24 - C031_Babylon 4-Kingdom

Angels of the nations
Chapter 10
Two years have now passed since the first decree to let Israel return to Jerusalem. In this
chapter God allows Daniel to see the warfare that takes place in the heavenly realms and
the spiritual beings seeking to control nations.

While Daniel is fasting, a messenger appears to him. Many theologians believe this is a
preincarnate appearance of Christ since his appearance is similar to other descriptions
as listed in Joshua, Judges, John, and Revelation. The appearance of this messenger is so
overwhelming that Daniel’s companions flee in terror when he appears. As Daniel sees
this vision, he loses his strength, his face turns deathly pale and he falls facedown to the
ground into a deep sleep.

The messenger angel (likely Gabriel) tells Daniel not to be afraid, that from the
day he started fasting this messenger angel had been dispatched to him.
This angel then relates that an evil angel (the Prince of Persia)
detained him for twenty-one days until the archangel
Michael came and helped him to fulfill God’s plan that the
Jews would be free to return to their homeland.

Additionally, the messenger angel tells Daniel he will
return to fight with Michael against both the Prince of
Persia and the Prince of Greece. This also aligns with the
unfolding of church history.

The Kings of the North and the South
Chapter 11

This chapter provides the history of spiritual conflict in Israel, refers to well-known
ancient figures and even reaches to the future Tribulation. The detailed history of this
section is so complete that some critics have said it was actually written 400 years later by
someone other than Daniel. But this section is another strong indication of divine origin
and underscores the fact that God alone knows the future and controls history.
Verse 2 - Says there would be three more kings and then a fourth. The three kings were
Cambyses (530-522 B.C.), Pseudo-Smerdis (522 A.D.), Darius Hystaspes (522-486 B.C.) and
then Xerxes I (the king, and husband of Esther, 496-465 B.C.)
Verse 3 – The great king who rules with mighty power refers to Alexander the Great.

Verse 4 – After Alexander’s death, his empire was divided between his four generals:
Cassander, Ptolemy, Antigonus, and Seleucus. The King of the South represents the
Ptolemies, and the King of the North, the Seleucids.

Verse 17 – Introduces another historical figure in Cleopatra I (not to be confused with
Cleopatra VII, who was contemporary with Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony). This verse
states, “And he will give him a daughter in marriage in order to overthrow the kingdom,
but his plans will not succeed or help him.” Antiochus of the Seleucids was feeling pressure

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