CHAPTER ELEVEN

ARMAGEDDON AND THE END OF ANTIOCHUS

The vision encompassing Daniel 11:2-35 will be continued in this chapter, but under different circumstances. Beginning with Daniel 11:36, futurists no longer find Antiochus Epiphanes to be the author's focal point. Futurists contend there is a gap in the prophecy, and that 'the king' of verse 36 is none other than a future Antichrist. According to futurists, Daniel 11:36-39 describes Antichrist's character; Daniel 11:40-45 is an overview of the Battle of Armageddon; and Daniel 12 relates to Jesus Christ's second coming. This chapter demonstrate that verses 36-39 describe the arrogant attitude of Antiochus, not a future antichrist; Verses 40-45 have no relation to a future battle, but present a likely scenario for Antiochus' end; and Daniel 12 reflects the author's view of the consummation of history.

Leaping the Centuries

The king shall act as he pleases. He shall exalt himself and consider himself greater than any god, and shall speak horrendous things against the God of gods. He shall prosper until the period of wrath is completed, for what is determined shall be done. (Daniel 11:36)

The question at hand is the identity of "the king" who rejects Yahweh, the "God of gods," and claims divinity for himself. Futuristic interpreters claim 'the king' is a future Antichrist. This is accomplished by inserting a 2,100-year time gap between verses 35 and 36. Walvoord, representing the futuristic view, limits verse 35 to the era of Antiochus but says:

"... the prophecy leaps the centuries that intervene to the last generation prior to God's judgment of Gentile power and its rulers. Beginning in verse 36, prophecy is unfolded that is as yet unfilled." [1]

Culver also believes "verses 36-45 are directly predictive of the career of Antichrist and of him alone." Culver offers six arguments to support his contention; three of which may be linked to the automatic, but false, assumption that expressions such as "the latter days," "for many days," (10:14) "the indignation," (11:36) and "at the time of the end," (11:40) always refer to the second advent of Christ. Culver also contends the phrase, "And at that time," refers to the second advent of Christ. Therefore the preceding events in Daniel 11 refers to the tribulation period since these events occur immediately prior to the second advent. [2]

Culver further contends that correspondence, "with now past history breaks down at the end of verse 35." He also seizes upon 'the king's' arrogant character to associate him with Antichrist. Culver states:

"... this predictive section corresponds so precisely with other unquestionable predictions of Antichrist that the identity of the reference can hardly be doubted." [3]

However, it is an assumption to conclude Daniel 12 refers to the second advent of Christ. This point will receive more attention later in following pages. Also, correspondence of Daniel 11:36-39 with past history does not necessarily break down at verse 35. The author simply shifts from a symbolic description of literal historical events to a description of the character traits associated with 'the king' in question. Also, because 'the king' displays an attitude commonly associated with futurists' understanding of Antichrist, this does not indicate this section is predictive of such a personage. Culver's point is based on a preconceived idea of Antichrist derived from other sources, then read back into the text of Daniel.

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1. John F. Walvoord, Daniel: The Key to Prophetic Revelation, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1974), p. 269. Return
2. Robert D. Culver, Daniel and The Latter Days, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1954), p. 164. Return
3. Ibid, p. 165. Return