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We now approach what is perhaps the most difficult and intricate chapter in prophecy,
viz., Dan. 11: One of the chief elements of difficulty is due to the blending together of
type and antitype and of history and prophecy. The problem is to determine the point at
which the division occurs, to find the verse at which we may say, Here history ceases
and prophecy begins. Chapter 11: contains a number of sections which we set out below
for the clearer understanding of our problem:--
(1)
2-4.
Persian and Greek kings, ending in the "mighty king"
Alexander the Great.
(2)
5-9.
The division of Alexander's empire among his generals. The
introduction of two kings named the "king of the north" and
the "king of the south".
(3)
10-20. The alternating histories and policies of these kings of the north
and south.
(4)
21-45. The vile person and the willful king.
The antichrist and the beast.
The little horn of Dan. 8: 9.
The first section of this prophecy (verses 2-4) establishes a link with the earlier
visions, and particularly with that of chapter 8: So that, although we have already
considered this chapter, we must go back to it here, in order to establish the close
association that is intended between the history of Persia and Greece and the future
antichristian king:--
The RAM of Dan. 8: 3 is interpreted as being Media and Persia (8: 20).
The HE-GOAT of Dan. 8: 5 is interpreted as being the king of Greece (8: 21).
The GREAT HORN between the eyes of the he-goat represents the first king of
Greece, and the FOUR NOTABLE ONES that arose toward the four winds of heaven,
are interpreted as four kingdoms that shall stand up in his stead (8: 21, 22).
The angelic interpreter of Dan. 11: makes a fuller reference to these two great powers.
We now learn that there were to stand up three kings in Persia, and that the fourth, richer
than they all, would by his strength through his riches stir up all against the realm of
Greece. Alexander is spoken of as a mighty king who shall rule with great dominion, and
do according to His will, whose kingdom shall be divided toward the four winds of
heaven. So far, the chapters are parallel. Returning, however, to Dan. 8: we find that
here we immediately leave the fourfold sub-division of Alexander's kingdom for a
consideration of the yet future dominion of the beast of the Apocalypse:--
"And out of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great toward the
south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land" (8: 9).
This passage is interpreted in 8: 23-25 as follows:--
"And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a
king of fierce countenance and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his
power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and
shall prosper and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And
through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify