Three Persons of The Last Days
May 5, 2022
Commentary
At the time of the end, the king of the south will attack the kingdom of the north, but its king will rush out like a storm, and his forces will flood one country after another killing tens of thousands, but the countries of Edom and Moab and the ruler of Ammon will escape (vv. 40-41). The king of the north will invade many countries, including Egypt, and he will take its rich treasures of gold and silver. He will also conquer Libya and Ethiopia (vv. 42-43). This coming king (Antichrist) will take to himself absolute power in the religious realm. He will magnify himself above all gods and defy and speak blasphemously against the God of gods. The world will be persuaded to worship him as god, by the miracles the false prophet will perform in his name (Revelation 13:11-15).
These closing verses of this chapter present three persons of the “Last Days“ – the willful king (the Antichrist), the “king of the South” (the ruler then controlling Egypt), and the “king of the North” (the ruler then controlling Syria). The “king of the South” and the “king of the North” come against the Antichrist with mighty armies but apparently with little success. About the same time he will hear alarming threats of being invaded from the east which would suggest Oriental power out of the north, which many Bible scholars equate with Russia (vv. 44-45). After this, he will set up camp between the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Zion. Then he will be destroyed, and no one will be able to save him. Enraged the Antichrist will set out to destroy these invaders from his headquarters in Jerusalem. But in spite of his irresistible power, at the appointed time his doom will come as God will destroy his kingdom at the personal appearance of Jesus Christ to this earth (Rev 19:19).
Application
Before the events described above take place all born again believers will have been raptured to heaven. I am glad that I will be included in that number and will have a grandstand seat from heaven.
Daniel 11:40– 45 (NET)
40 “At the time of the end the king of the south will attack him. Then the king of the north will storm against him with chariots, horsemen, and a large armada of ships. He will invade lands, passing through them like an overflowing river. 41 Then he will enter the beautiful land. Many will fall, but these will escape: Edom, Moab, and the Ammonite leadership. 42 He will extend his power against other lands; the land of Egypt will not escape. 43 He will have control over the hidden stores of gold and silver, as well as all the treasures of Egypt. Libyans and Ethiopians will submit to him. 44 But reports will trouble him from the east and north, and he will set out in a tremendous rage to destroy and wipe out many. 45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas toward the beautiful holy mountain. But he will come to his end, with no one to help him.