Daniel 11:33-36 - The king will do as he pleases

11:33-35

Verse 33 is quite an amazing verse really. It is a verse for mature Christians, not airy-fairy ones! We are called to be wise and to instruct other Christians. The command is consistent with 2 Tim 4:5: “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” We are also told that some will “fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered”. The reference to “many who are not sincere” joining them might be referring to the Maccabean revolt when many insincere joined them when it was succeeding. While there are temporal references in all this, and temporal fulfilments, verse 35 points us to the ultimate end. Part of the purpose of the persecution is to refine, to make pure and spotless.

11:36

Having spent some time on the effect on the role of God’s people, we now return to the godless rulers. We have the picture of a king who does as he pleases, is utterly consumed by pride. He exalts and magnifies himself above “every god” and will blaspheme the Lord. There are echoes of this in Rev 13:5,6. He will be successful, but only for a time. Terrible things will happen, but they are all under God’s control, and fulfilling His purposes. And part of that purpose is the exercise of s wrath, His righteous judgement on man’s sin.