11:29,30
The ruler of the north will venture out again to invade the South. This time his power will have waned and he will be opposed by ships and the battle will become so difficult that he will lose heart. This was Antiochus’s second campaign and marked a significant waning in his power, and Rome would be able to take advantage of this. NIV has “ships of the western coastlands” while ESV has “ships of Kittim”. Kittim was the ancient name for Cyprus, and came to represent other islands and coastlands of Palestine. Humiliated tyrants do not take defeat easily but vent their anger on others. In this case it would be taken out on the “holy covenant”. Not all in Israel would remain faithful to the covenant, but would forsake it and receive favour from Antiochus. Matt 24:12,13 warns of a similar response on the part of some.
11:31,32
“The abomination that causes desolation” is a topic of much debate, and is referred to in Matt 24:15. The temple had been fortified, but would be invaded by Antiochus and profaned. He would institute worship of false gods within the temple. There will be a division within God’s people. Some will be deceived and corrupted by flattery. However, those “who know their God” will firmly resist him. This is a pattern that we see again and again. In our own day there are many within the church who love to go along with the world in its immorality and stupidity. When we see this happen we should not be alarmed, but should remain faithful to the Lord and to resist all evil.
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