Daniel 11-12; Hosea 1

Daniel 11

This doesn’t even cover this intense Chapter with very specific prophecies

Continuation from Daniel 10 (angel speaking)

• After Cyrus the Great:
  • Three more kings arise in Persia
    • Cambyses II (530-522 BC)
    • Bardiya (Smerdis) (522 BC)
    • Darius I (522-86 BC) (not the Darius in Daniel 5-6)
  • A fourth becomes exceedingly rich (often linked to Xerxes I- King of Esther)
• Then:
  • A “mighty king” arises → Alexander the Great
  • His empire is broken (no heirs as they were murdered) and divided “toward the four winds” or four generals?
• Matches Daniel 8 (goat + four horns)

The Kings of the South and North

• Ongoing conflict between:
  • King of the South → Ptolemaic Egypt
    • ruled by Ptolemy I Soter
    • South became strong and one of “his princes” Seleucus took over Syria
  • King of the North → Seleucid Syria
    • Ruled by Seleucus I Nicator
• Series of alliances, betrayals, and wars for 130 years:
  • Marriage alliances fail
    • Antiochus II (of the Seleucids) and Berenice (daughter of Ptolemy II).
  • Military campaigns back and forth
  • Territories repeatedly contested (including Israel)
• Israel sits between these empires and becomes a battleground

vs 17:  Antiochus III gave his daughter Cleopatra to Ptolemy V of Egypt. 

Historical Background: Ptolemies (Egypt) vs Seleucids (Syria)

Rise of a Contemptible King

“In his place shall arise a contemptible person…”

• A ruler gains power through intrigue, not rightful succession
• Identified with Antiochus IV Epiphanes

Actions:

• Invades the “glorious land” (Israel)
• Stops regular sacrifice
• Sets up the abomination that makes desolate
  • image of Zeus/ pig sacrifices
• Persecutes the faithful:
  • Some fall
  • Some remain strong and take action

Later references in Matthew 24:15

The Final Arrogant King

“The king shall do as he wills…”

• A king who:
  • Exalts himself above every god
  • Speaks astonishing things against God
  • Honors a “god of fortresses”
• Expands power through warfare
• Moves toward the “glorious holy mountain”
• Comes to his end with no one to help him
• Many see a shift here:
  • From Antiochus → to a final future ruler/ AntiChrit
• Parallels:
  • 2 Thessalonians 2 (man of lawlessness)
  • Revelation 13 (beast)

Daniel 12

“At that time shall arise Michael…”

• Michael stands for God’s people and protects Israel. Also known as archangel (Jude 1:9)
• A time of unparalleled distress
  • Quoted in Matthew 24:21
• Deliverance for those written in the book
• Resurrection described:
  • Some to everlasting life
  • Some to shame and contempt
• Parallels:
  • John 5:28–29
  • Revelation 20

Daniel told to: “Shut up the words and seal the book”

• Knowledge will increase
• We must preserve and protect, however the language of2 Revelation 22:10 says “Do not seal up…for the time is near.”

Two heavenly beings speak to Daniel 

• Time described as:
  • “time, times, and half a time”
• Ends when:
  • Power of God’s people is shattered
• Same time frame appears in:
  • Daniel 7
  • Revelation (3.5 years imagery)

Daniel does not fully understand

• Told: Words are sealed until the end
• Many will be:
  • Purified
  • Refined
  • Tested
• The wicked will not understand

Specific Time Periods

• 1,290 days (from removal of sacrifice)
  • 1,290 days = 3.5 years + 30 days;
• 1,335 days (blessing for those who endure)
  •  1,335 days = 3.5 years + 75 days. 
• Could be related to:
  • Temple desecration (Antiochus)
  • Possibly extended to future fulfillment

“You shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place…”

• Daniel will:
  • Die (“rest”)
  • Rise again at the end

 Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days.

from: https://www.biblechronologytimeline.com/biblechronologytimeline7.html

Hosea 1

Hosea prophesies during reigns of Uzziah to Hezekiah (Judah) and Jeroboam II (Israel) (760-720) 

• Ministry in Israel (north)
• Northern Kingdom (Israel) in spiritual decline

Hosea’s Marriage as a Prophetic Sign

• God tells him to take “a wife of whoredom”  Hebrew: זְנוּנִים (zenunim)
  • Not just immorality but covenant unfaithfulness
  • Marriage =  Israel’s relationship with God

Son #1 Jezreel (יִזְרְעֶאל) 

• Meaning: “God sows / scatters”
• Judgment on house of Jehu
• Valley of Jezreel where Ahab descendants massacre happened (2 Kings 10)

 Daughter #1 Lo-Ruhamah (לֹא רֻחָמָה) 

• Meaning: “No mercy / not pitied”
• God withdrawing compassion from Israel
• Judah will still be spared (temporarily)
  • 2 Kings 19:35

 Son #2 Lo-Ammi (לֹא עַמִּי) 

• Meaning: “Not my people”
• Covenant reversal: “I will be your God, you will be my people” is now broken

Future Restoration

• Reversal of names: Lo-Ammi to “sons of the living God”
• “Jezreel” shifts from judgment to restoration (sowing again)

from: https://www.generationword.com/audio_series/hosea.html

Question: Why is Daniel 11 so specific compared to other visions?

Application

God rules over all -from Hosea’s picture of covenant unfaithfulness to Daniel’s detailed rise and fall of kingdoms. Like Israel, we are prone to drift and give our hearts to others.  God uses discipline to call us back to Him and to remain faithful.