We now enter the part of Gabriel’s vision that reviews briefly a theme already introduced in chapters 7 through 9. Everything in chapter 11 unfolds what was a preamble in previous chapters. There are two rises of the papacy! – one in chapter 7 and the second in chapter 8. Each is depicted as a little horn, but they exist in two vastly different eras of time. God wanted to make certain that Biblical expositors understood this – thus chapter 11. Verse 21 begins the account of the first rise. The rest of the chapter is “just to make sure” that those two rises remain distinct in our thinking.

The reason there are so many differing views of this vision lies in the diverse assumptions that commentators have already formed from chapter 8. Exegetic and contextual clues have been ignored, compounding interpretive errors as the narrative continues. Gabriel made it clear in his introductory remarks that this vision was for the “last days” (acharyth) (10:14) – “future days to come.” Daniel already went a step further and said that the acharyth would be at the very end of time (eth qets) (8:17, 19). Yet, in face of these contextual revelations, the majority of commentators tenaciously hold to the vile person or little horn as Antiochus IV Epiphanes who died in 163 BC! That is an interpretative disconnect.

The vision ranges from Daniel’s day in the 6th century B.C., with special anchor points, all the way to the resurrection (Daniel 12:2). Just preceding this is a period of distress and unparalleled tribulation (Daniel 12:1). Jesus said that that time of trouble would occur just before He returns (Matthew 24:21, 29-30). Thus, we view a vision in Daniel 11 that transects time into key segments, covering more than 2500 years.

The resurrection noted in Daniel 12:1-2 is preceded by the demise of the tyrant king of the north – same as the little horn and vile person. Is the theological “hero” Antiochus Epiphanes going to survive centuries? Jesus said the evil work of the king of the north would cease at the time of the wonders of the resurrection and when God’s people were delivered (Daniel 12:1-2, 7) – at the end of a 1260-day or three and a half year period.

In addition, the Maccabean theory states that the “abomination of desolation” of Daniel 11:31 applied exclusively to the Syrian leader Antiochus Epiphanes (175–164 B.C.). Yet Jesus said the abomination of desolation was one of the “timing signs” just preceding His coming (Matthew 24:15-30). Who’s right? Jesus or tradition? Daniel 12 makes it clear that the abomination that leads to desolation would last only 1290 days, ending in the deliverance of God’s people.

Correct bonding of Biblical clues reveals not only a beautiful and simple end-time picture but Jesus personally becomes involved in the understanding of Daniel’s book. When the disciples asked about the end of time, He referred them back to Daniel – of all things!

Another thematic issue reveals the rise and fall of many kings from Daniel 11:2 to 20. This stops when the vile king emerges. Then something different happens. Daniel 11:21 to 45 collectively reveals the actions of a single individual – though in two eras. There is no successor recorded at the very end of time or to that individual.

The “power” of that vile person parallels the little horn of Daniel 8. Also, Gabriel refers to that power, there, as “he” or “his” thirteen times. Daniel 9:26-27 speaks of the one who becomes desolate.

Little Horn (chapters 7 and 8) and Vile King (chapter 11)

“And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries” (Daniel 11:21).

A vile (bazah – contemptible) person, acting against God’s will, appears firmly established but without a kingdom. He comes to power peaceably – not through military might. In the end he will have a kingdom through deceit and flattery.

Daniel 11:21-27, in a brief expose, dramatizes the first papal reign of power. How do we know? It follows the sequential history noted in verses 2-20, ending with Caesar Augustus (with a time gap we have seen frequently in this chapter). Secondly, this power enters the stage of history peaceably through deceit.

• “Obtains the kingdom by flatteries” (11:21)

• “Mouth speaks great words” (7:11, 20, 25)

• “Changes times and laws” (7:25) 

The papacy entered the world scene peaceably. Justinian (Flavius Anicius Juianus Justianus) was a Roman Emperor for 38 years (527–565 A.D.), working out of Constantinople. He had a brilliant carrier in securing the Byzantine Empire, immortalizing Byzantine architecture and developing legal codes. The latter became a lasting legacy to Western civilization.

His ecclesiastical genius recognized the importance of religious peace to civil order. The Justinian Codes of law had their origins through a commission of ten lawyers that he appointed. They drew from the teachings of four economic councils[1] and became “Corpus Juris Civilis.” This, in turn, later guided the development of canon law by the Roman Catholic Church.

Justinian’s general, Belisarios, arranged for Pope Vigilius to be the head of the Roman Church by banishing a competitor, Silverius. This changed the way ecclesiastical leaders were previously appointed by religious councils. Justinian also appointed a bishop in Constantinople, which began a schism that fully developed by 1035 A.D. and remains today.

The “papal kingdom” emerged through gifts, endowments and outright transfer of land by Pepin the Short in 754 A.D. Its power reached its zenith in the 16th century as part of its Counter Reformation with excommunication, inquisition, bans, index of books, and censorship became its modus operandi.

“And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant” (Daniel 11:22).

The use of the word “flood” (sheteph) suggests judgment or wrath. Here is depicted a scene where going before this vile person is his overwhelming wrath, crushing those before him. Who are “they” that are “broken” (shabar) or crushed? The explanation of Gabriel makes it clear that it is God’s people, because he says, “Yea, also the prince of the covenant.” He is the Prince Messiah [the same as the “prince of the host” (8:11), the “Prince of princes” (8:25) and “Messiah the Prince” (9:25-26)]. In those verses the little horn stands up against the Prince of princes. The little horn and the vile person both represent the papal system.

When did wrath go before the papacy to crush God’s people and, figuratively, Jesus? The Dark Ages stands as a rebuke to the fiendish hatred of the Roman Church – the papacy – towards them.

The “arms” (a symbol of military power) came through civil governments, doting to the hateful commands of the papacy.

“And after the league [made] with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people” (Daniel 11:23).

The word for league (chabar) means an agreement based on charm. Many countries bowed to the wishes of the papacy. In fact, many emperors and kings felt a guilt obligation to render allegiance to papal Rome – especially in France, Germany and Spain.

Indeed, this verse expresses what is apparent all along – “he shall work deceitfully.” The Hebrew word for “deceitful” is the same word for “craft” in Daniel 8:25. How is this league formulated? Through crafty associations, using civil powers to enforce its dogma. In Revelation 13 the sea-beast also represents papal power. There, the “image to the beast” symbolizes those ecclesiastical agencies that copy this papal technique by manipulating civil power to further its ends. There, the earth-beast, representing apostate Protestantism (the false prophet), imitates the papacy.

Does the papacy use “a small number of people?”[2] Its ecclesiastical administrative body, the Holy See, has always been small.

“He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do [that] which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: [yea], and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time” (Daniel 11:24).

This continues a description of the horrible practices of the papacy. Always in an air of peace and pompous godliness, the papacy comes even to wealthy people and areas, doing what the church fathers dared not do: taking among themselves the riches, spoils and even people from their exploits while they cause the martyrdom of millions of God’s people. This added to the wealth of the church and the land became known as “papal states.”

This verse ends with an insightful statement. The vile person will forecast (chashab), meaning contrive his devices (machashabah) or his cunning plans against the strongest. Yet, it would only continue for “a time.” What time? Daniel 7:25 says for a “time and times and the dividing of time.” This is seen to represent 1260 years. Its machinations would be time-limited by God’s sovereign will.

“And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him” (Daniel 11:25).

The vile person stirs up his power against the king of the south with a great army. Egypt, as a kingdom of the south, became a historical issue long before. It symbolizes an anti-Christian, anti-God power. This now brings new meaning to the “king of the south.” How did the papacy enter into military exploits and by default now become the king of the north?

In the 7th century A.D. Arab Muslims conquered Palestine. During the 11th century the fierce Seljuk Turks from central Asia invaded the near east and became conquers of the Byzantines (Battle of Manzikert in Asia, 1071 A.D.), capturing many lands, including Palestine, from the Arab Muslims. They then blocked all Christian pilgrimages to the area.

The Byzantine Emperor Alexius Commenus (1048-1118 A.D.) asked Pope Urban II for the help of the Catholic Church in fighting the Muslim Turks. Urban II was competing with a rival “pope” and thought this a unique way to consolidate his power and prestige.

In the autumn of 1095 A.D. he met with church leaders in Clermont, France, and appealed to his European parishioners to unite and fight to regain Palestine. He offered spiritual and physical rewards, including forgiveness of sins, if they joined this crusade.

From 1096 A.D. through 1270 A.D. Crusades against the Turks were conducted. Knights and princes, the common people and the wealthy joined. This added greatly to the trade and economic growth of Europe. Their immediate goals were reached. With a “very great and mighty army,” Palestine was retaken. Biblical prophecy was fulfilled. But the Ottoman Empire continued to resist. Their control of the “glorious land” was regained and then lost again. By 1453 A.D. the Byzantine Empire fell and the Muslim Turks were permanently in charge.[3] This anti-Christian power was for a time the “king of the south.”

The battle between the Christian world and the Muslim world is a type of what will occur at the end of time as the latter verses of this chapter unfold. That will reveal, once again, a battle between the Christian world and the Muslim world.

The little horn of Daniel 8, representing the end-time papal power, “waxed exceeding great, toward the south and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.” Palestine will once again be a focal point of the Christian world and papal power (the latter owns most of the land of Christian shrines already). As this manuscript is being written, not only is the Vatican negotiating with Muslims and Jews regarding “peace” in the “pleasant land,” the whole evangelical world believes Palestine is part of the prophetic end game before the “rapture.” The “glorious land” is clearly seen in prophecy (Daniel 11:41, 45) – but not depicted as they believe – as will unfold later.

“Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain” (Daniel 11:26).

This verse introduces an important note from history. The Crusades were successful initially, especially the first one. But Palestine was recaptured by the Muslims. The subsequent history through nine crusades shows many local victories and defeats. The “Christian” Crusaders not only plundered Muslim areas during this time but freely massacred Jews.

But the Muslims repeatedly showed their resiliency. Their goal was to conquer the European Christian world. The Crusades were, in part, an attempt to turn back those conquests. But they were by and large poorly organized, without a central leader and, ultimately, ended in defeat.

Who shared with the papacy the same interest in defeating the Islamic world? Initially France, then Spain and, later, Germany – then back to France. They all “fed” with the papacy the shared religious cause of the Crusades, bearing the symbol of the Cross in their exploits. But the text says that those who were part of the vile person “destroyed him.” His support and defense was “overflown” (shataph – inundated, under judgment) or came under wrath, and many were slain.

This occurred in 1798 when General Louis A. Berthier, upon Napoleon’s orders, was sent to Paris to take Rome. A Roman republic was established, and Pope Pius VI was taken captive. He later died in France. “They that feed” with him “shall destroy him.” That would be called later in Revelation 13 a “deadly wound.”

“And both these kings’ hearts [shall be] to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end [shall be] at the time appointed” (Daniel 11:27).

The vile person was destroyed in the previous verse but is now alive. This verse is a commentary insert adding additional information to the previous verses (20-26).

Because of the continued fighting, the Crusaders and Muslims entered into treaty after treaty to bring peace or peaceful coexistence. But the Muslims wanted to control and coerce.

The armies on both sides repeatedly experienced defeat and victory, with land being gained and lost. In the meantime tens of thousands of people were slain.

The vile person’s representatives and Muslim leaders spoke lies by conveying interest in peace. Those “mischievous treaties” were for their survival and temporal convenience only. They did “not prosper” or last.

The final part of verse 27 brings in an interesting turning point. At the appointed time (mowed) the end (qets) will occur. Does this suddenly refer back to 8:17 and 19? Context is everything to our understanding. This is the end of the vile person. Daniel 7:25 makes it clear that the little horn power was predestined to end at the termination of 1260 years. That end or qets was at an appointed time. Why the use of the Hebrew word mowed for the appointed time here – a word often denoting a sacred appointment? It was a sacred decree appointment in God’s calendar. Thus, there are two appointed times in Daniel – one that deals with the end of the 1260 years, the other the 1260 days (the two times the papacy was in power). The next three verses clarify what occurred.

A significant turning point now comes in the vision that goes right to the end of the chapter. It begins to describe the vile person as having great riches and against the treaty of God – the “holy covenant.” Something has changed, and new imagery is being introduced. This begins to describe the second period when the papacy will be a world power.

What happened in the interim between these rises? The papacy struggled and maintained its ecclesiastical authority. Its secular rule was taken away through a series of vacillating moves on the part of France and later by the Italian people. On March 17, 1860, Italy became a full-blown “kingdom” state. By September 20, 1870, Rome fell to Italian troops and the papal states became part of Italy. The “kingdom” of the papacy came to its end. The papacy was reigned into 109 acres within Rome – the Vatican.

It is to be noted that at this time some of the most treacherous ecclesiastical decisions were made that defied the God of heaven. It was also during this period that the first Vatican Council was convened (1869) by Pope Pius IX. It was then that the doctrine of papal infallibility was adopted through coercive pressure of the pope on the delegates.

In the next chapter we will begin to deal with the final history of the vile person. There, the king of the north will be adopted. Why the change? God is helping us to see that the same power continues to be presented – but now in a different era. The north was where God, the great King, was tabernacled on Mount Zion (Psalm 48:2). Satan aspired to exalt his throne above the stars of God to that “mount of the congregation, … I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14). The king of the north, as Satan’s representative, attempts to do this at the end of time. Thus, the name is apropos and descriptive.