Deeper Reflection
During Antiochus’ reign, there were fresh outbreaks of wars with the South Kingdom (vv.24-27). During his campaign in Egypt in 168 BC, there was “an attempted uprising by the Jews”, which made him so “enraged at the holy covenant” (v.30), that he “stormed Jerusalem and slaughtered many” on his return.⁶²Antiochus and his anti-God reign was featured in the previous prophetic-theological visions of Daniel⁶³ : “the fourth beast” that “will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One” (Dan 7:23-25); “a king will arise, insolent and skilled in intrigue” who “will destroy…the holy people” (Dan 8:23-25); “the prince who is to come” who “will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering” (Dan 9:26-27). Clearly, the anti-God theme is a prominent one in Daniel, especially in Daniel 7 to 12. The climax of this theme is Antiochus’ reign (Dan 11:21-45). The prophetic narrative of Antiochus’ reign carries two discipleship messages.Be prepared for strong opposition against God. Blasphemous attacks on the worship of God will be a thing. Antiochus desecrated God’s temple by offering pig’s flesh⁶⁴ on its altar and dedicated the temple to the worship of Zeus (v.31).⁶⁵ Attack on the worship of God inevitably means attack on the worshippers of God. Be prepared for the “silent inactivity” of God. It will appear that God is nowhere to be found when His temple is so blasphemously desecrated. God is mentioned only twice – and passively – in Daniel 11 (vv.32, 36). It is difficult to believe in God in such times. But Scripture prepares us for this.

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⁶² Iain M. Duguid, 202 ⁶³ Christopher J. H. Wright, 223 ⁶⁴ Pigs were considered as unclean animals (Lev 11:7-8). ⁶⁵ Iain M. Duguid, 202