The astonishingly precise prophecy of Daniel chapter 11 was given by the angel Gabriel, sent by God. Gabriel introduces the prophecy by specifying a very important point, «Now I am come to make you understand what shall befall your in the latter days: for yet the is for many days.» So the vision takes an interest only in the nations whose actions will affect the people of God, in one way or another.
At the beginning of the prophecy of Daniel chapter 11 , Gabriel announces, «Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia.» Among the following list, please indicate the one who is not one of these three kings:
Cyrus II the Great.
Cambyses II.
The False Smerdis.
Darius I.
Still in Daniel chapter 11 , Gabriel announces the coming of a fourth king, who would distinguish himself from the previous kings by his great:
wisdom.
beauty.
wealth.
power.
This king was Xerxes I, also called Ahasuerus, who reigned from 486 B.C. to 465 B.C..
The prophecy of Daniel chapter 11 goes on with the rise of the Greek Empire. As in the other prophecies of Daniel, a particular word is attributed to this kingdom. What is this word?
«Pride.»
«Dominion.»
«Courage.»
«Will.»
A good part of the prophecy of Daniel chapter 11 describes the wars between the two kingdoms emerging from the Greek Empire. The two enemy clans are the North, represented by the dynasty of the , ruling over , and the South, represented by the dynasty of the , ruling over .
Daniel chapter 11 then foretells the many conquests of the Roman Empire, among which is this one, «He shall stand in the Glorious Land, which by his hand shall be consumed.» Which Roman general, in 64 B.C., invaded Palestine, «the Glorious Land», just as foretold?
Titus.
Scipio.
Lucullus.
Pompey.
Daniel chapter 11 foretells that a Roman emperor would be «a raiser of in the glory of the kingdom.» This is precisely what emperor Caesar Augustus did. The prophecy also announces how he would die, an unusual death for a Roman emperor: «He shall be destroyed, neither in , nor in .» And just as foretold, he died peacefully in his bed at the age of 76, in A.D. 14.
After the Roman emperors, Daniel chapter 11 goes on with the rise of another type of rulers, whose deeds are described in the remainder of the chapter. Which title is given to this new type of rulers?
«The king of the North.»
«The king of the East.»
«The king of the South.»
«The king of the West.»
Daniel chapter 11 precisely describes many deeds of this new type of rulers. Among these deeds, we find (check off all the right answers):
«He shall obtain the kingdom by flatteries.»
«He shall go forth with great fury to destroy many.»
«He shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god.»
«His heart shall be against the holy covenant.»
The introduction to the prophecy of Daniel chapter 11 says, «The message was , but the appointed time was long. (...) I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of .» Indeed, until now, this prophecy has been rigorously accurate. This calls us to give heed to what this same prophecy announces for today.