Daniel Chapter 11

Summary:

The eleventh chapter of Daniel is the culmination of detail in the prophetic chapters of Daniel. Each prophetic chapter gives the same basic outline of four world empires, then climaxes with the second coming of Jesus Christ. Each prophetic chapter gives greater and greater detail than the preceding one and in each case this additional detail brings us closer, by date, to the second coming. Chapter eleven follows the same pattern and gives the greatest detail of all, outlining events that flow down to the very days in which we live. Chapter eleven differs from the preceding prophetic chapters by delivering, from the angel, a verbal description of the events rather than Daniel receiving a symbolic representation of events. Like chapters eight and nine, chapters eleven and twelve are linked—with chapter twelve answering the unanswered questions of chapter eleven (as chapter nine answers the unanswered questions of chapter eight). Daniel 11 is considered by many Bible students, scholars, and casual readers alike, to be one of the most difficult chapters in the Bible. Indeed, on initial observation, it seems to be full of confusing language and terms, and poses several enigmatic sections that seem to be out of order, or defy explanation. However, with careful comparison, with consistent application of the terminology, and with a knowledge of a few simple Hebrew literary structures, the chapter becomes clear, consistent, and beautiful evidence for the divine origin of Scripture, for the power and foreknowledge of God, for his loving kindness and mercy in revealing these things through his servants the prophets, and for the nearness of his soon coming. This chapter identifies such historical figures as: Alexander the Great, Seleucus, Ptolemy, Berenice, Laodice, Cassander, Lysimachus, Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Augustus, and Tiberius. It even identifies that the Messiah would be born during the reign of Augustus, and die during the reign of Tiberius.