In the last chapter the vile person is destroyed by a country that had previously been its ally (vs 26) – France. This occurred when Pope Pius VI was taken prisoner by Napolean’s General Berthier in 1798. Pius VI died shortly thereafter in France. The secular rule of the papacy began its downward plunge in that year and was complete by 1870. Its ecclesiastical power was clipped but not destroyed. Its “deadly wound” would later be healed (Revelation 13:3). This linguistic play simply reveals a lethal secular blow and bruising of its ecclesiastical authority.

“Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart [shall be] against the holy covenant; and he shall do [exploits], and return to his own land. At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter. For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant” (Daniel 11:28-30).

These verses use the word “return” five times (first noted by Wood[1]). That word is shuwb in Hebrew. In this context “he,” the “vile person,” returns from exile (cf. Ezekiel 2:1, Nehemiah 7:6, Isaiah 10:22, Jeremiah 22:10, 12:15). This means he is restored to what had been before.

He “returns” into “his land with great riches” (vs 28).

The self-imposed imprisonment by Pope Pius IX to the Vatican formally began in 1870 when it lost all of its papal states. The pope refused to recognize the existence of the Italian government. This picture was terminated during the time of Pope Pius XI by the Lateran Treaty on February 11, 1929, and confirmed by the Italian constitution in 1948.

The signatures on that first historic document were Cardinal Pietro Gasparri for the Holy See and Premier Benito Mussolini for the kingdom of Italy. With a stroke of two pens the Holy See was reestablished – and with great riches:

1.  Church–State authority of the Holy See was recognized (they legally became a civil and ecclesiastical power).

2.  The city of Rome was conveyed as the center of the Catholic world and a place of pilgrimage.

3.  Italy recognized the validity of Catholic marriage and that all such issues were to be settled by Catholic Canon Law.

4.  Catholic religious instruction would be permitted in public schools. Textbooks were to be approved by the Church.

5.  Up until 1985 Roman Catholicism was to be the Italian State religion.

6.  There was Church sovereignty over the 109 acres of the Vatican (an internationally recognized state).

7.  There were payments of cash and bonds to the church from Italy for the state land they had lost.

8.  Many free (forever) civil services were given – from railroad to postal.

The record says that his heart shall be against the holy covenant (vs 28). Psychoanalyst and Jesuit-trained E. Boyd Barrett wrote a book in 1935 that outlined the sinister plans of Pope Pius XI to become once again a world power! This book not only contained language to influence a major social agenda but permitted anything to further its power.[2] It is sinister and belies its claim to be a Christian church. The document ends with the words “Rome will stoop to conquer – even to sin.” Thus its name, “Rome Stoops to Conquer.”

This was the shot that went around the world, depicting this power as evil and willing to deceive – typifying the antichrist. This “prince” is portrayed as warring against the covenant. This parallels the little horn power in chapter 8 – “a king of fierce countenance” – one who was deceptive, “understanding dark sentences” (8:23), who would “cause craft to prosper” (8:23-25). Most remarkable – he is the one who stands up against Christ (“the Prince of princes”), seeking to undermine His work and people (8:24-25).

This is amazing because in 11:22 we learned that the vile person warred against the Messianic “Prince of the covenant” during the Dark Ages. Here, he is doing exactly the same thing in a different era! The papacy hasn’t changed. Gabriel early on depicts this power as anti-God. It fights the redemptive plans that God has made with mankind. It defies the everlasting covenant.

“… and he shall do [exploits] and return to his own land” (Daniel 11:28).

The word “exploits” is not in the original. Scholars have felt it better expresses the meaning of having its own way or doing its own pleasure. Since it says “he” returns to his own land, it suggests the papacy was away and then returns to the Vatican – its own land by now. This matches exactly what modern popes have done, making trips to foreign lands outside of Rome and Italy. Pope John Paul II was the most traveled papal head in history. He made over 100 foreign trips as a public image gesture to Catholic people. But through the sheer numbers that came out to see him, the whole world “wondered.” Some gatherings reached over a million people in attendance.

Another form of “exploit” occurred. Since 1929 there has been increased meddling in world affairs. This began with Pope Pius XI, who made aggressive moves to infiltrate and control the political machinery in America. Pope Pius XII, his successor, was active in working with Hitler in treacherous plans against the Jews (something the Vatican is working hard to cover up). Pope John Paul II, in one of the greatest secret alliances of all time between himself and President Ronald Reagan (beginning on June 7, 1982), brought the Soviet bloc and its communistic regimes to an end.

“At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter” (Daniel 11:29).

The “time appointed” or mowed was recently used for the time the papacy came to its Dark-Ages end (11:27). The final end-time meaning is noted here and in 8:19, 11:28-29, 11:35 and 12:7. These relate to the three and a half years when God’s people are persecuted and ends with their deliverance (12:7, 1) just before Jesus comes.

Pope John Paul II had for years been courting a friendship with the Islamic world. Many of their leaders visited him in the Vatican and many attended a world peace conference in Assissi, Italy (January 24, 2001). In return, the pope visited the Syrian Omayyad mosque May 5, 2001 – the first papal head to ever do so.

The vile person is seen also as the king of the north. Though the papacy is its prophetic head, it represents – at the end – Babylon, and draws into its fold apostate Protestantism and spiritualism (as defined in Revelation, chapters 12–13 and 16–18). In 11:40 there is aggressive imagery of the king of the south “pushing” or warring against the king of the north. Here in verse 29 he is not aggressive. He comes towards the south in peaceful imagery.

It appears that the vile person comes into the Islamic world at the onset of this appointed time. What is happening?

For many years the papacy under Pope John Paul II had offered to be a neutral party or leader in Jerusalem and mediate the Jewish–Muslim–Christian conflict. The papacy succeeds in this verse to administer this wish. He comes “into the south” and acts as a buffer of peace. The foundational work towards this began in earnest with Pope John Paul II. This is one of several reasons
that we know from Revelation 17:10 that the king “which is” refers to this specific pope. It draws on many prophecies. Now, the one that “is to come” has arrived.

Daniel notes that it won’t be “as the former or as the latter” (vs 29). The former represents the Crusades. The latter is when open war is ongoing and the Muslim countries are defeated (vs 40).

“For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant” (Daniel 11:30).

This verse has stimulated creative theories as to its meaning. Few expositors have tried to contextually analyze its thoughts within the sequence of ideas.

The previous verse reveals a “southward” influence by the vile person. The Islamic world, competing with the Vatican in power and global membership, is courted by the papacy in its ecumenical outreach. Whatever the “ships of Chittim” specifically do, it intimidates and directly threatens the vile person – “he shall be grieved.”

Ships (tsiy) simply refers to boats. Chittim (kittiy) is used in a variety of ways in the Scriptures. Balaam prophesied that ships would come from the coast of Chittim, afflicting Assur (Assyrians) and Eber (Hebrews) (Numbers 24:24). Isaiah refers to the “land of Chittim” (Isaiah 24:1, 12). Jeremiah noted the “isles of Chittim” (Jeremiah 2:10), referring to the coasts of Cyprus. Ezekiel refers to the “isles of Chittim” (Ezekiel 27:6), also alluding to Cyprus.

The two common things from these texts are the island of Cyprus and the westward direction from Daniel and Palestine. “In Daniel’s day the word referred … to the lands and peoples of the west.”[3] That appears to be the key here.

There is a significant emphasis on directional symbols ever since the ram who was pushing “westward and northward and southward” in 8:4. What influence coming from the west would threaten the papacy (the vile person or the king of the north)?

“Since north and south portray the forces hostile to God (see verse 27), it stands to reason that east and west illustrate those who meet with God’s approval. There are a number of texts that also indicate the correctness of this concept: ‘Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth.’ (Isaiah 43:5, 6).

“‘Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country.’ Zechariah 8:7 (cf. Revelation 7:2; 16:12 where, although no mention of ‘west,’ ‘east’ bears favorable symbolic significance).”[4]

Symbolically, what would be west of Rome that would cause it to grieve at the end of time? Without equivocation, the remnant, as their forces begin to consolidate under the banner of the everlasting covenant. There is an anecdotal story about a Seventh-day Adventist lady who worked for Pope John Paul II. He purportedly told her that he wasn’t concerned about the influence or power of the Adventist church (as reflected in Malachi Martin’s book Keys of this Blood, p. 286). But he went on to express grave concern when he noted, “the 144,000 we don’t yet know how to deal with.” We will shortly note that “people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits” (vs 32). They are symbolic of the remnant in prophecy – the white horse of the first seal, who goes out to conquer, to finish the work (Revelation 6:1-2).

As the end of time unfolds and the appointed time comes, first noted in 8:17 and 19, the spectacle of those committed to God will increasingly contrast with the ecumenical thrust of a papal coalition with apostate Protestantism. The pinnacle will be reached when moves against the covenant agreement will become law. That will signal the last bastion of resistance to the geopolitical goals of the Vatican.

The ships of Chittim symbolize the remnant people coming from the west, specifically beginning in the United States, who oppose the vile person. E. G. White referred to this verse, then quoted verses 31-36 and concluded that these “scenes” will “take place” when Satan assumes “control of human minds who have not the fear of God before them. Let all read and understand the prophecies of this book.”[5] She saw these events as part of the end-of-time scene.

What is the papal power’s response to this? He exhibits open indignation against the holy covenant, which embodies God’s law and man’s allegiance to the great principles it conveys. “So shall he do,” Gabriel says. Do what? Do something to repudiate its sacredness. That will be seen, as we’ve noted before, as the transgression or abomination that will bring it to its desolating end.

“… he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant” (Daniel 11:30).

This fearfully portrays an element of ecumenism based on unity of common beliefs – here, distinctly against the holy covenant. This represents the bonding that is now going on between apostate Protestantism and Catholicism.

This started on January 25, 1959, when Pope John XXIII announced that the Second Vatican Council would take place. Catholics and Protestants Together was a golden thread that wove its way through its subsequent proceedings. Documents of unity between the two have since been signed. Dialogue continues as they hold hands together in an ever closer bond.

They have intelligence (biyn) with one another. They have understanding with each other over forsaking or setting aside the holy covenant or law. What area of the law once held in the Ark of the Covenant do Protestants and Catholics mutually reject? The fourth commandment, regarding the Sabbath. That is the issue that is now coming to the fore in this chapter! Recall that the “transgression” or pesha of 8:13 was against (1) God’s authority, (2) His law and (3) His covenant. All these issues are embodied in the fourth commandment.

“And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily [sacrifice], and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate” (Daniel 11:31).

The arms (z@rowa) that support what the vile person does symbolize military or political forces. This suggests that nations or governments will stand behind the papacy during this end-time rise to power. That is exactly what is portrayed in Revelation 17:12 where ten horns/ kings are described, who share power with the beast (papacy–Babylon) for a short time. Also, this parallels Revelation 13:12 where the earth-beast (apostate Protestantism) causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast (sea-beast – papacy). The world’s civil infrastructure comes to the support of the Vatican right at the end.

Long after Gabriel’s message to Daniel, Jesus talked about the abomination that leads to desolation (Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14). In that dual prophecy Jesus related this decreed curse to the destruction of Jerusalem and the end-time desolation of the world.

“The Saviour’s prophecy concerning the visitation of judgments upon Jerusalem is to have another fulfillment, of which that terrible desolation was but a faint shadow. In the fate of the chosen city we may behold the doom of a world that has rejected God’s mercy and trampled upon His law.”[6]

“As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation [the United States] in the decree enforcing the papal Sabbath will be a warning to us.”[7]

“The first day of the week is to be exalted and presented to all for observance. Shall we be partakers of this cup of abomination? Shall we bow to the authorities of earth and despise God? The powers of darkness have been gathering their forces to bring this crisis about in the world, so that the man of sin may exalt himself above God.”[8]

An important note: Since Jesus ties the abomination of desolation to the fall of Jerusalem and the end of the world, which meshes with Daniel 8–12, the popular interpretation of Antiochus Epiphanes (~165 B.C.) to the little horn, vile person and king of the north simply doesn’t fit. It’s a concept that is against Jesus’ clear teaching.

“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do [exploits]” (Daniel 11:32).

This verse is a dramatic statement by Gabriel. This ecumenical bond between Catholicism and Protestantism against God’s holy law and covenant is driven by deception and seductive actions, conveying what they are not. This insight began in chapter 8 – a king “understanding dark sentences, shall stand up” (8:23) and “he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand” (8:25).

The last half of this verse is beautiful. In contrast to the corrupt covenant breakers are those who “know their God.” They are strong (chazaq) and cleave to the holy principles of heaven. It then states that they do exploits. That word, again, is not in the original Hebrew text. But the implication that is made in this last thought means that they follow through or act upon their conviction and loyalty to God. This draws upon a remarkable theme found in Revelation 6, where it depicts the unswerving dedication of the 144,000 in the white horse. At that time, when the history of the world is coming to a close, God’s remnant will be active, going out to conquer and conquering.

“And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, [many] days” (Daniel 11:33).

This verse and the last part of verse 32 should have been topically together. They that understand (sakal) have an intelligent grasp of God and His truth based upon reason. His people (the remnant) shall instruct many. This last group of people will be teachers. This is when the spread of the gospel crescendoes around the world into the Loud Cry. It comes at the time of the oppressive abomination. As Satan corrupts the world, God’s people will be “instructing many.” This is, again, beautifully depicted in the first Seal (Revelation 6) when the white horse (God’s purified, holy people) goes out to conquer.

Another contrasting picture is here painted. Those loyal people will fall by the sword and flame, be imprisoned and have their belongings taken away. This is persecution and parallels the second, fourth and fifth Seals (Revelation 6:3-4, 8-9) where a group of vengeful people (red horse) are associated with others to harm and kill (pale horse), resulting in martyrdom.

The King James Version of the Bible says “many days.” In Hebrew it is simply days (yowm). A similar phrase was used in 8:26 that referred to an indefinite time in the future. Here it is used without the word “many.” Yowm refers to literal days as used by Daniel. It suggests a short, indefinite time period. The next chapter will tell us exactly how long that will be – three and a half years – the time of trouble or tribulation.

“Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries” (Daniel 11:34).

When God’s people shall fall (kawshal – suggesting stumble or totter from weakness or weariness from the pursuit of persecution), they will be assisted with some help. God sustains His people. He never leaves or forsakes them.

“Those who are loyal to God’s law will not always find the way smooth. God has not promised his people exemption from trials, but he has promised that which is far better. He has said: ‘As thy days, so shall thy strength be.’ ‘My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’ ‘The God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation.’ ‘As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth.’ All who love and fear God will suffer persecution. But Jesus will be near to sustain everyone who is afflicted for the truth’s sake. When in the prison of Philippi, the scourged and heavily-manacled servants of Christ had such divine consolation that they sang praises to God, and the walls resounded with their triumph. To these faithful messengers, that cold dungeon, reeking with dampness, was made as the gate of heaven. The glory of the Sun of Righteousness beamed forth into that inner prison, making it radiant with a divine effulgence. Christ, the royal messenger, came to John when on his sea-bound isle, and gave him the most wonderful revelations of himself, and of what was to take place in the world’s history prior to his second appearing. Jesus revealed himself to Stephen while he was surrounded with pitiless foes. The martyr was given a view of the glory of God with Jesus standing at his right hand to give help to his suffering servant.”[9]

“Through centuries of persecution, conflict, and darkness, God has sustained His church. Not one cloud has fallen upon it that He has not prepared for; not one opposing force has risen to counterwork His work, that He has not foreseen. All has taken place as He predicted. He has not left His church forsaken, but has traced in prophetic declarations what would occur, and that which His Spirit inspired the prophets to foretell has been brought about. All His purposes will be fulfilled. His law is linked with His throne, and no power of evil can destroy it. Truth is inspired and guarded by God; and it will triumph over all opposition.”[10]

Sadly, many of those who claim loyalty to God, when under threats, will join with or cleave to those who have been deceived by “smooth” teaching. They are attracted to the flatteries of the wicked. This is a description of many who will leave or be shaken out of God’s fold at the end of time.

“As the controversy extends into new fields and the minds of the people are called to God’s downtrodden law, Satan is astir. The power attending the message will only madden those who oppose it. The clergy will put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the light lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their command they will endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and, in this work, papists and Protestants unite. As the movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold and decided, the law will be invoked against commandment keepers. They will be threatened with fines and imprisonment, and some will be offered positions of influence, and other rewards and advantages, as inducements to renounce their faith.”[11]

“I was pointed to the providence of God among His people and was shown that every trial made by the refining, purifying process upon professed Christians proves some to be dross. The fine gold does not always appear. In every religious crisis some fall under temptation. The shaking of God blows away multitudes like dry leaves. Prosperity multiplies a mass of professors. Adversity purges them out of the church. As a class, their spirits are not steadfast with God. They go out from us because they are not of us; for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, many are offended.”[12]

“And [some] of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make [them] white, [even] to the time of the end: because [it is] yet for a time appointed” (Daniel 11:35).

The wording of this verse is confusing. It is a verse of hope, however, and has been included to show that at the very end many backsliders will return to the fold.

The clearest rendition of this text comes in a transliteration, The Berkeley Version in Modern English: “On the part of some teachers their stumbling shall be for their refinement and purification to make them white, preparatory to the final period which is delayed until the
appointed time.”

“When the storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the true Shepherd’s voice. Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost, and many who have strayed from the fold
will come back to follow the great Shepherd. The people of God will draw together, and present to the enemy a united front…. The love of Christ, the love of our brethren, will testify to the world that we have been with Jesus and learned of Him. Then will the message of the third angel swell to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord.–Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 401 (1900).”[13]

This verse is filled with the most helpful information regarding the end of time. We’ve already seen in 8:19 that the end of time (eth qets) is at the appointed time (mowed). Daniel 12 has shown us that this is the chazown vision in the last three and a half years of time. That is when God’s people are “trodden underfoot,” “cast down” or persecuted.

The wording in the last half of this verse strongly suggests that when many backsliders return to the loyalty of the remnant noted in verse 34, the dross of this world is purged and they become white – just like the 144,000 noted in the white horse of Revelation 6:1-2. What a message! From the seeds of harm come a renewed commitment to Jesus Christ at the end.