“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” – 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
As we continue in Daniel chapter 11, we read verses 18-19, which speak of Antiochus III, or Antiochus the Great, who marched west towards the coastlands and was defeated multiple times. He was on his way home and died en route.
His son, Antiochus Epiphanes, who we learned about earlier, inherited a massive debt to the Roman Empire. So, he sent tax collectors through Israel and tried to plunder the Temple, but God had him killed.
We then read about Israel, the people of God, in verse 21. Antiochus Epiphanes, this horrible ruler, who rose up and wanted to be the “god-man.” He was not in the bloodline of a royal family but instead overthrew his nephew and stole the throne. He was a horrible, demonic man filled with the power of Satan.
He ruled, reigned, and gained the allegiance of the people like a drug cartel; those who were closest to him would reap the rewards of plundering others. He marched against the king of the south, the king of Egypt, and won because the king of Egypt was betrayed.
As Antiochus Epiphanes heads home, he passes by Israel and decides to attack them because he knows their Temple is filled with gold. In three days, he and his army slaughtered 80,000 Jewish civilians, or God’s people. This was the family line through which Jesus would come. He wanted the worshipers of God killed. He wanted the Temple of God to shut down.
It seemed like God’s people were losing. If the Temple was closed, Jesus couldn’t come. If the Jewish people were destroyed, Jesus couldn’t come. Thankfully, we now know, that’s not the case and Jesus’ plan would not be stopped by evil human rulers.
The spirit of antichrist will always seek to do the same thing Antiochus Epiphanes did in the Old Testament and the same thing Satan did in Heaven. When we enter the final days, it’ll be more profitable to be evil. That’s why, when churches were closed during COVID, abortion clinics were still open. Demonic forces in every generation are trying to set up a counterfeit kingdom.
How familiar are you with angels, demons, and the unseen realm? If you want to learn more, check out the book and sermon series Win Your War at RealFaith.com.
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