Daniel 11 Explained

Introduction: Daniel 11 — History Written Before It Happens

Daniel 11 is one of the most remarkable chapters in the Bible. No other prophetic passage presents such a detailed, continuous outline of history from ancient empires to the threshold of eternity.

This chapter:

• Follows directly from the spiritual conflict revealed in Daniel 10
• Continues the same prophetic line as Daniel 2, 7, and 8
• Leads naturally into the deliverance promised in Daniel 12

Ellen G. White affirms the historical reliability of this chapter:

“The prophecy of Daniel 11 has nearly reached its complete fulfillment.”
— Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 14

Daniel 11 reassures us that God rules history, even when earthly powers clash.

Daniel 11:1–2 — Persia’s Final Kings

The angel strengthens Darius and foretells:

• Three more Persian kings
• A fourth far richer (Xerxes)

Xerxes’ conflict with Greece sets the stage for the next empire.

Key lesson: God names events centuries before they occur.

Daniel 11:3–4 — Greece and the Fall of Alexander

A “mighty king” arises—Alexander the Great.
His kingdom:

• Expands rapidly
• Breaks suddenly at his death
• Divides into four parts

This perfectly mirrors Daniel 8.

Adventist scholar C. Mervyn Maxwell notes:

“No historical outline matches prophecy more precisely than Daniel 11.”
— God Cares, vol. 1

Daniel 11:5 — Kings of the South and North Defined

The prophecy now narrows:

• King of the South → Egypt (Ptolemies)
• King of the North → Syria (Seleucids)

These powers control territory around God’s people.

Daniel 11:6–9 — Political Alliances and Betrayal

A marriage alliance fails.
Wars and betrayals follow.

History records these events with striking accuracy.

Spiritual lesson: Human alliances cannot bring lasting peace.

Daniel 11:10–15 — Wars Over the Glorious Land

Repeated invasions sweep through Palestine.

God’s people are caught in the conflict—not because God has forgotten them, but because prophecy is unfolding.

Daniel 11:16 — Pagan Rome Enters the Scene

“He shall stand in the glorious land.”

Rome conquers the region.

This fulfills Daniel 2 and 7’s transition from Greece to Rome.

Ellen G. White confirms:

“Rome succeeded Greece as the ruling power.”
— The Great Controversy, p. 52

Daniel 11:17–19 — Rome’s Political Strategy

Rome attempts compromise through alliances but fails.

Its power begins to wane politically, preparing for a new phase.

Daniel 11:20 — Rome’s Taxation System

This verse accurately describes Roman taxation under Augustus Caesar.

“There went out a decree… that all the world should be taxed.” (Luke 2:1)

Prophecy intersects with the birth of Christ.

Daniel 11:21–22 — The Rise of Papal Rome

A “vile person” arises—not by force, but intrigue.

This represents the transition from pagan to papal Rome.

“The prince of the covenant shall be broken.”
This points to Christ’s crucifixion.

Ellen G. White writes:

“Papal Rome followed pagan Rome.”
— The Great Controversy, p. 55

Daniel 11:23–30 — Religious Power and Persecution

The prophecy now emphasizes:

• Deception
• Religious authority
• Persecution of God’s people

This aligns with Daniel 7’s little horn.

Daniel 11:31 — The Abomination That Makes Desolate

“They shall take away the daily, and place the abomination.”

Adventists understand this as:

• Paganism replaced by papal religious supremacy
• Truth cast down
• God’s sanctuary truth obscured

Daniel 11:32–35 — God’s Faithful People

Despite persecution:

• Some resist
• Some fall
• Truth is refined

Ellen G. White encourages:

“Through persecution the truth was spread.”
— The Great Controversy, p. 271

Daniel 11:36–39 — Self-Exalting Power

This power:

• Exalts itself above God
• Honors a false system
• Uses religion for control

This fits papal Rome’s later history.

Daniel 11:40 — The Time of the End Begins

“At the time of the end…”

Adventists identify 1798 as this marker—the end of papal supremacy.

The kings of the North and South reappear in a new context.

Daniel 11:41–43 — Final Movements Toward God’s People

The “glorious land” becomes the focus again.

This points to:

• God’s remnant
• The final religious conflict

Daniel 11:44–45 — The Final Crisis

The king of the North:

• Moves aggressively
• Establishes authority
• Comes to his end—with none to help

This prepares the way for Daniel 12’s deliverance.

Ellen G. White writes:

“The final movements will be rapid ones.”
— Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 11

Why Daniel 11 Matters Today

Daniel 11 teaches us:

• God controls history
• Religious deception intensifies near the end
• God’s people will be tested
• Christ will intervene decisively

Continue Your Study in the Book of Daniel

• Daniel 7 — Judgment and the Son of Man
• Daniel 8 — The Sanctuary and Judgment Hour
• Daniel 9 — Messiah and the Cross
• Daniel 10 — Spiritual Warfare Behind History
• Daniel 11 — The Final Conflict

Conclusion: History Is Moving Toward Deliverance

Daniel 11 does not end in despair.

It points forward—to Daniel 12, where God’s people are delivered.

Prophecy assures us:

• Evil has limits
• God has the final word
• Deliverance is certain

Next Study: Daniel 12 — The End, the Resurrection, and Eternal Reward

Daniel 12 reveals:

• Michael standing up
• The time of trouble
• The resurrection
• Eternal life for the faithful

👉 Continue to the next article:
Daniel 12 Explained: The Time of Trouble, Resurrection, and God’s Final Victory