Daniel 11: The Syrian Wars

And beyond…
 Acknowledgement
• I like to thank Bob Faulkner for his very
detailed explanations of the Syrian Wars in
“Daniel’s Last Message”
• Without his notes, this presentation would
not be possible
Proof Positive that Daniel 11 foretells future history

• Daniel lived around 600-500 BC

• We found copies of Daniel has been found in the Dead Sea
scrolls – dated to 200 BC
• The book describes events in detail that will occur from around
300 BC to 100 BC
• So even if we assume Daniel was written in 200 BC, it still
foretell future events in 100 BC !!!
• Isaiah 46:9-10
– Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no
other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from
the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.  I say: My
purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
• Dan 10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a
revelation was given to Daniel …
– Notice the vision is given when Cyrus is king
• 11:2b “Behold, three more kings will arise in Persia”
• 11:2c “and the fourth shall be far richer than them all; by his
strength, through his riches, he shall stir up all against the
realm of Greece .”
• Historical fulfillment:
– Cyrus the Great
– Cambyses (1)
– Smerdis (2)
– Darius Hystapses (3)
– Xerxes (4)
• Xerxes attacked Greece (movie: 300)
• 11:3 “Then a mighty king will appear, who will rule with great
power and do as he pleases.”
• Historical fulfillment:
– Alexander the Great is this mighty king

Alexander’s Empire
• 11:4a“After he has appeared, his empire will be broken up and
parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to
his descendants, nor will it have the power he exercised,
because his empire will be uprooted and given to others”
• Historical fulfillment:
– After Alexander’s death, his generals divided up his empire
– After decades of war, 4 empires were formed:

Phrygia (Lysimachus)

Lydia + Cappadocia (Cassander)

Syria (Seleucus)

Egypt (Ptolemy)
The Syrian Wars: Overview of kings

Seleucus I
….
Antiochus II
Seleucus III (Callinicus)
Antiachus III (the Great)
Seleucus IV
Antiochus IV (Ephiphanes)
Ptolemy I
Ptolemy II
Ptolemy III (Benefactor)
Ptolemy IV (Philopater)
Ptolemy V
Ptolemy VI
 11:5a “The king of the South will become strong”

Ptolemy I is the king of

the South – he established
his kingdom first

Seleucus I was at first a

general of Ptolemy I
 11:5b “but one of his commanders will become even
stronger than he and will rule his own kingdom with great
power.”

Seleucus I conquered
Syria for himself

At first, Seleucus I and

Ptolemy I were friends…
That will change when
their children started a
war that last generations...
Ptolemy I is king over
Egypt

Seleucid I is “one of this

commanders” – he was
Ptolemy I’s general and
led an army to fight
against Syria
 11:6a “After some years, they will become allies. The
daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the
North to make an alliance”

The prophecy skipped many year – Ptolemy I and Seleucid I have been
succeeded by their sons: Ptolemy II and Antiochus II

Antiochus II x Laodice

Ptolemy II and Antiochus II made an

alliance in 252 BC

Ptolemy II To seal the alliance, Antiochus II

marries Ptolemy II’s daughter Bernice
The daughter of the king
of the South is: Bernice Problem was: Seleucus II has a very
willful wife: Laodice
11:6b “but she will not retain her power, and he and his power will
not last. In those days she will be handed over, together with her
royal escort and her father and the one who supported her.”

Bernice will not retain her power

Ptolemy II will not last
Antiochus II’s power will not last
Bernice, Ptolemy II and Antiochus II will be handed over (= die)

After Ptolemy II’s death, Antiochus II

divorsed Bernice and re-married Laodice

Laodice was bitter and when she

returned, she had Bernice and her child
Ptolemy II soon died and
(with Seleucid II) killed.
his son Ptolemy III
(Bernice’s brother) is
Laodice poisoned Antiochus II and set
now king
her son Seleucid II Callinicus up as king
(in 246 BC)
 11:7 One from her family line will arise to take her place.
He will attack the forces of the king of the North and enter
his fortress; he will fight against them and be victorious.
One from her family line = Ptolemy III (Bernice’s brother)
King of the North = Seleucid II
This war is the 3rd Syrian War, a.k.a. the Laodicean war (246-241 BC)

Seleucus II (eldest son of

Laodice)

Ptolemy III (benefactor)

becomes king over Egypt 3rd Syrian war (246-241BC)
in 246BC Ptolemy III revenges the death
of his sister Bernice
Ptolemy III is the brother
of Bernice
 11:8 He will also seize their gods, their metal images and their
valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them off to Egypt. For
some years he will leave the king of the North alone.

Seleucid II was a weak leader

Ptolemy III was victorious over Seleucid II
Also, Iran and Afganistan broke away in 247 BC from the Seleucid Empire and
formed the Parthian Empire (which will be later conquered by the Islamic Empire)

Seleucus II

Ptolemy III took a lot of loot

from Syria back to Egypt (war
trophy).

Ptolemy III In the midst of the campaign,

Egypt had domestic troubles
and Ptolemy III had to go back
to take care of business
11:9 Then the king of the North will invade the realm of the
king of the South but will retreat to his own country.

King of the North = Seleucus II regrouped and attack back !

Seleucus II

Seleucus II launched an
all-out attack in 240 BC,
but was defeated.
Ptolemy III
Ptolemy III died in 221 They made peace which
BC lasted from 240-221 BC

Ptolemy IV (his son)

succeeded him in 221 BC
 11:10 His sons will prepare for war and assemble a great
army, which will sweep on like an irresistible flood and
carry the battle as far as his fortress.
Seleucus II has 2 sons: Seleucus III and Antiochus III
Seleucid III was a weak king; he reigned only 3 years and was killed
Antiochus III is a powerful king – later he is called Antiochus the Great

Seleucus II

Seleucus III

Antiochus III – the Great

Ptolemy IV
 11:10 His sons will prepare for war and assemble a great
army, which will sweep on like an irresistible flood and
carry the battle as far as his fortress.
Seleucus II has 2 sons: Seleucus III and Antiochus III
Seleucid III was a weak king; he reigned only 3 years and was killed
Antiochus III is a powerful king – later he is called Antiochus the Great

Antiochus III – the Great

Fourth Syrian War:

At first Antiochus III
conquered many Egyptian
Ptolemy IV territories
 11:11 Then the king of the South will march out in a rage
and fight against the king of the North, who will raise a
large army, but it will be defeated. .
This is the famed battle of Raphia

Antiochus III – the Great

Fourth Syrian War:

Then Ptolemy IV
retaliated and beat back
Ptolemy IV
Antiochus III
 11:12 When the army is carried off, the king of the South
will be filled with pride and will slaughter many thousands,
yet he will not remain triumphant.
After defeating Antiochus III, Ptolemy IV turned to persecute the Jews
This story is documented in “Maccabees III”

Ptolemy IV
 11:12 When the army is carried off, the king of the South
will be filled with pride and will slaughter many thousands,
yet he will not remain triumphant.

Ptolemy IV
 11:13 For the king of the North will muster another army,
larger than the first; and after several years, he will advance
with a huge army fully equipped.
Ptolemy IV suddenly died under mysterious circumstances (murder ?)
His son (Ptolemy V) is still a kid.
Antiochus III formed new allegiance with Philip V of Marcedonia
Together they marched against Ptolemy V – the Fifth Syrian War

Antiochus III – the Great

Fifth Syrian War:

Antiochus III bullies a
Ptolemy IV died under
kid
mysterious circumstances

Ptolemy V (a boy) become king

11:14 "In those times many will rise against the king of the
South. The violent men among your own people will rebel
in fulfillment of the vision, but without success.
Although Israel is under the rule of Egypt (Ptolemy V), some Jews joined forces
with the Syrians (Antiochus III) and “rise against the king of the South”

Antiochus III – the Great

Fifth Syrian War:

Some Jews joined
Ptolemy V (boy king) Antiochus III
11:15 Then the king of the North will come and build up siege ramps
and will capture a fortified city. The forces of the South will be
powerless to resist; even their best troops will not have the strength to
stand.
Sidon was a very important port and was the strongest fortress in those days

Antiochus III – the Great

Fifth Syrian War:

Ptolemy V’s general
Ptolemy V (boy king) Scopas retreated to Sidon
But Antiochus III
besieged and took Sidon
11:16 The invader will do as he pleases; no one will be able to
stand against him. He will establish himself in the Beautiful
Land and will have the power to destroy it.
Israel falls in the hand of Antiochus III by 201 BC

Antiochus III – the Great

Fifth Syrian War:

Antiochus III also
Ptolemy V (boy king) conquers Israel (the
Beautiful Land – in the
eyes of God)
11:17 He will determine to come with the might of his entire kingdom
and will make an alliance with the king of the South. And he will give
him a daughter in marriage in order to overthrow the kingdom

By this time, Rome has defeated Hannibal and is beginning to impose its might on
the region

Rome is rising in Power

Antiochus III – the Great

To avoid a war on 2 fronts,

Ptolemy V (boy king)
Antiochus III tries to make a
treaty with Ptolemy V.
Antiochus III marries his
daughter Cleopatra I to
Ptolemy V
Mighty Rome stopped Anthiocus’ invasion into Egypt
 11:17…. but his plans will not succeed or help him.

Cleopatra I will turn against his father Antiochus III later (as predicted)
When Rome won a battle against Antiochus III (at Thermapolis), Cleopatra I
joined with Ptolemy V in congratulate the Romans.

Rome gets in Anthiochus’

territory
Antiochus III – the Great

Ptolemy V + Cleopatra I
11:18 Then he will turn his attention to the coastlands and will
take many of them, but a commander will put an end to his
insolence and will turn his insolence back upon him.
Anthiocus III attacked the Greek Islands (that were part of Roman territory)
Antiochus III is defeated in the Battle of Thermopylae
The commander in verse 18 may be Scipio – the Roman commander who
defeated Hannibal also defeated Antiochus III
Rome gets in Anthiochus’
territory

Antiochus III – the Great

Ptolemy V + Cleopatra I
11:19 After this, he will turn back toward the fortresses of his
own country but will stumble and fall, to be seen no more.

After Rome defeated Antiochus III, Rome forced Antiochus to:

- retreat back
- pay a huge sum of penalty
- give up his navy
- give Rome his younger son Antiochus IV as ransom
Rome defeats Anthiochus III
Antiochus III – the Great

After retreating, Antiochus III

must raise money to pay the
penalty. He raised taxes and he
Ptolemy V + Cleopatra I raided the Temple of Jupiter in
Elymais. The locals killed him…

His son Seleucus IV is now king

11:20 "His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain
the royal splendor. In a few years, however, he will be
destroyed, yet not in anger or in battle.
Seleucus IV must still pay the huge sum of penalty imposed by Rome
Rome frees Anthiocus IV in exchange for Seleucus IV’s son Demetrius
Seleucus IV sends his prime minister Heliodorus (tax collector) to rob the Jewish
temple of its treasures
Soon after Heliodorus returns with the loot; Seleucus IV is poisoned by his
chancellor
Anthiocus IV is freed
Demetrius (Seleucus IV’s son) is
now held as the ransom hostage
Seleucus IV is now king

He needs lots of money to pay war

penalty of his father.
He decided to take the treasures
from the Jewish Temple.
 11:21 "He will be succeeded by a contemptible person who
has not been given the honor of royalty.

Seleucus IV’s son Demetrius is still in Rome – he is the rightful king… But
Anthiocus IV (Seleucid IV’s brother) seized the throne
Anthiocus IV is a very despicable rules – he is called Epiphanes (the Illustrous
one) – but instead, the people called him “Epimanes” (the Mad one)

Demetrius (Seleucus IV’s son) is

held in Rome as the ransom

Anthiochus IV is now king

He is a very shrew king…

 11:21…He will invade the kingdom when its people feel
secure, and he will seize it through intrigue.

Anthiocus IV tactic is to come in as a friend; then turn and conquer the territory

Demetrius (Seleucus IV’s son) is

held in Rome as the ransom

Anthiochus IV is now king

Antiochus IV conquer Israel by

deceit
 1 Maccabees Chapter 1
• 29 Two years later, the king (Anthiocus IV) sent the
Mysian commander to the cities of Judah, and he came to
Jerusalem with a strong force.
• 30 He spoke to them deceitfully in peaceful terms, and
won their trust. Then he attacked the city suddenly, in a
great onslaught, and destroyed many of the people in
Israel.
• 31 He plundered the city and set fire to it, demolished its
houses and its surrounding walls,
• 32 took captive the women and children, and seized the
cattle.
11:22 Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before
him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed.

At that time, Onias is the high priest in Israel.

Onias is against Hellenization of the Jews
But Onias’ brother Jason is much more in favor to Hellenize the Jews
Anthiochus IV helped Jason depose his brother to become the high priest

Anthiochus IV is now king

Antiochus IV conquer Israel by

deceit
 11:23 After coming to an agreement with him, he will act
deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power.

Anthiochus IV now wants to expand his empire

Anthiochus IV has his eyes on Egypt

Ptolemy V + Cleopatra I
have these children:
- Ptolemy VI
- Ptolemy VII (Euergetes) Anthiochus IV and Cleopatra I are
- Cleopatra II borther + sister
 11:23 After coming to an agreement with him, he will act
deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power.

Anthiochus IV now wants to expand his empire

Anthiochus IV has his eyes on Egypt

Anthiochus IV comes in Egypt with

Ptolemy VI is king (boy)
a small army to celebrate his cousin
Ptolemy VI coronation and brought
gifts
11:24 When the richest provinces feel secure, he will invade them and will achieve what
neither his fathers nor his forefathers did. He will distribute plunder, loot and wealth
among his followers. He will plot the overthrow of fortresses—but only for a time.

Anthiochus IV now wants to expand his empire

Anthiochus IV has his eyes on Egypt

Anthiochus IV bribes the officials of

Ptolemy VI is king (boy)
Egypt
11:25 "With a large army he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of
the South. The king of the South will wage war with a large and very powerful
army, but he will not be able to stand because of the plots devised against him.

Anthiochus IV now wants to expand his empire

Anthiochus IV has his eyes on Egypt

Ptolemy VI
Ptolemy VI fights back but to no avail
11:26 Those who eat from the king's provisions will try to destroy him; his army will
be swept away, and many will fall in battle.

Anthiochus IV now wants to expand his empire

Anthiochus IV has his eyes on Egypt

Ptolemy VI
Ptolemy VI’s counsellors bribed by
Anthiochus IV, betrayed Ptolemy
11:27 The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to
each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time.

Anthiochus IV now wants to expand his empire

Anthiochus IV has his eyes on Egypt

Ptolemy VI
Ptolemy VI’s and Anthiochus IV made a
peace treaty (lie to each other)
(Ptolemy VIII)
 11:28 The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his
heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and then return
to his own country.

Anthiochus IV has troubles back home…

Anthiochus IV

Ptolemy VI
Anthiochus IV has to return to deal with a
revolt of the Jews
11:29 "At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome
will be different from what it was before.

Anthiochus IV comes back to conquer Egypt… this time Rome intervenes !!!

Anthiochus IV

Ptolemy VI
Anthiochus IV is angry because he lost
control of Egypt and invades it again
11:30 Ships of the western coastlands (Kittim) will oppose him, and he will lose heart.

Kittim is the ancient name for Rome…

Anthiochus IV

Ptolemy VI
Anthiochus IV is stopped by Rome…
11:30 …Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will
return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.

Anthiochus wants to Hellenize the Jews to keep them under control

Some wealthy Jews joined Anthiochus and overthrow the High Priest

Anthiochus IV

Ptolemy VI
Anthiochus IV plans to control Israel by
changing its culture to Hellenism
11:31 "His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish
the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.

Anthiochus’ effort to Hellenize the Jews went so far that:

- He set up a statue of Zeus in the Jewish Temple (abomination in God’s sight)
- He told the Jews to worship Zeus
- He sacrificed a pig (not kosher) to Zeus on the Temple’s Alter

Anthiochus IV

Ptolemy VI
Anthiochus IV desecrates the Jewish
temple in 168 BC
 11:32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the
people who know their God will firmly resist him.

Anthiochus IV offered many benefits to Jews who converted

But his defiling of the Jewish Temple was too much to bear for some Jews
This trigger the Maccabean Revolt

Anthiochus IV

Ptolemy VI
Judah Maccabee leads the revolt against
Anthiocus IV
• 33 "Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a
time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or
plundered.
– Pious Jews instruct many not to take advantage of the Hellenists
favors; and for this, they are being persecuted
• 34 When they fall, they will receive a little help,
– There is no active resistance in the first months. The people of Israel
simply lay down and die. Their martyrdoms inspire many, and
Hellenism still is having trouble catching on, so
– Antiochus decides it will be good to make examples of more key
figures.
– Like Eleazar for example, a priest, an expert in the law. This old
saint is told to eat pork. He refused. So he is tortured and beaten,
burned and stretched.
– Then comes Judas Maccabee and the others are angered and come
to the rescue.
• 34… and many who are not sincere will join them.
– Judas Maccabee begins to drive out the Syrian troops
– The Hellenistic Jews are now in trouble
– They faced a choice: join the revolt or die – they joined
• 35 Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be
refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the
end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
– The revolt cost the lives of many pious Jews
– E.g.: 1 Maccabee records the painful deaths of all the sons of
Mattathias.
 The unfulfilled prophecy begins

• From Dan 11:36 on, the angel’s prophecy

does not compare easily to anything in
history.
• We can only guess what these events will
be…
• I will interprete it with my bias:
– the Mahdi is the fulfillment of this prophecy
 My interpretation of Daniel 11
• 36 "The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify
himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against
the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is
completed, for what has been determined must take place.
– The Mahdi will exalt Allah and himself above Jehovah
– “Allah is greater” is Islam’s profession of faith
– The Mahdi will rule until Jesus returns and destroys him
• 37 He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the
one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt
himself above them all.
– Islam does not respect the desires of women
 My interpretation of Daniel 11
• 38 Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god
unknown to his fathers he will honor with gold and silver, with
precious stones and costly gifts.
– Islam’s god is a god of war: Jihad !!!
– Islam teaches that if you join in the Jihad, you can take part of the share
of the conquered loots
• 39 He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a
foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge
him. He will make them rulers over many people and will
distribute the land at a price.
– Islam is predicted to conquer Rome
– AgainL Islam teaches that if you join in the Jihad, you can take part of
the share of the conquered loots – that includes land
 My interpretation of Daniel 11
• 40 "At the time of the end the king of the South will engage
him in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against
him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will
invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood.
– Egypt (and other secular Islamic nations) may not join the Mahdi at first
– The Madhi will conquer Egypt; and not only Egypt; the Mahdi will
conquer many other countries
• 41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries
will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be
delivered from his hand.
– The Mahdi will eventually attack Israel (and violates the peace treaty)
– Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon are the present day Jordan
– Somehow, he will not invade Jordan…
 My interpretation of Daniel 11
• 42 He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will
not escape.
– As I wrote before, the Madhi will conquer Egypt
• 43 He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and
all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Nubians in
submission.
– Again, the Madhi will conquer Egypt
 My interpretation of Daniel 11
• 44 But reports from the east and the north will alarm him, and
he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many.
– I think Russia and China will finally get involve in the conflict
– Russia is to the North of the Islamic Empire
– China is to the East
• 45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at the
beautiful holy mountain. Yet he will come to his end, and no
one will help him.
– In the Islamic tradition, the Mahdi will rule from Jerusalem (Temple
Mount)
– The Holy Mountain is ofcourse Mount Morriah (Temple Mount)
where the Temple is Located
– The Islamic tradition coincides with the Biblical prediction precisely
 My interpretation of Daniel 12
• 1 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your
people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has
not happened from the beginning of nations until then.
– There will be a great persecution…
• But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found
written in the book—will be delivered.
– Then Jesus arrives on the scene
• 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake:
some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting
contempt.
– The death will be resurrected (I.e., Jesus has arrived !!!)
• 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the
heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the
stars for ever and ever.
– God’s people will be glorified
 My interpretation of Daniel 12
• 4 But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll
until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to
increase knowledge."  
– This prediction will not be understood until the End Time is near
– You can tell that the End Time is near when people travel greatly
(cars, airplanes) and knowledge abound (research, information age)
• 5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two
others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite
bank.
• 6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was
above the waters of the river, "How long will it be before
these astonishing things are fulfilled?"
– Great question !!! I like to know it too 
 My interpretation of Daniel 12
•  7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the
river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven,
and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, "It
will be for a time, times and half a time
– It will take 3 ½ years to complete
• When the power of the holy people has been finally broken,
all these things will be completed."
– When the Jews are being massacred, Jesus will return to rescue them
– See: Zech 14
•  8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, "My lord,
what will the outcome of all this be?"
– Great question, Dan… I like to know that too 
 My interpretation of Daniel 12
• 9 He replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words
are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.
– Daniel does not get to know what they mean
– But we do because we have the reality to guide us in the
interpretation !!!
• 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined,
but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the
wicked will understand, but those who are wise will
understand.
– God reveals the meaning only to those who search for and love
Him
 My interpretation of Daniel 12
•  11 "From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished
and the abomination that causes desolation is set up,
there will be 1,290 days.
• 12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end
of the 1,335 days.
Abomination setup
(Madhi enters God’s
daily sacrifice Temple and declares
abolished himself as God)
45 days of intense persecution ?
1290 days Worship the Mahdi or die ?

1290 + 45 days
Jesus returns ?
 My interpretation of Daniel 12
•   13 "As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and
then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your
allotted inheritance.“
– We are told that Daniel is with God.
– At the End Time – resurrection – Daniel will rise and receive his
reward: eternal life
– Not surprising: Daniel was willing to give his life up (got tossed in
the lions) than bow down to worship an idol (imposed by Cyrus)
• Warning:
– In Revelation, we are told that whoever takes on the “Mark of the
Beast” will be tossed in the Lake of Fire (where Satan is also tossed)
– I believe some who takes on this mark believe themselves to be
Christians…
 11:6“xxxxxx.

Seleucus I conquered Syria for himself

xxxx

Seleucus I conquered
xxxxx

Ptolemy I is king over

Egypt

xxxx