“He will flatter and win over those who have violated the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him. Wise leaders will give instruction to many, but these teachers will die by fire and sword, or they will be jailed and robbed. During these persecutions, little help will arrive, and many who join them will not be sincere. And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come.” Daniel 11:32-35
The amazingly detailed prophecies of Daniel 11: 1– 35 contain approximately 135 prophetic statements that have all now been fulfilled. These verses serve as an impressive introduction to the events that are yet future. The continued opposition of Antiochus to the Jewish faith is prophesied in verse 32, indicating how he would attempt to corrupt them; but the Jews’ strong reaction is shown in the expression “the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” The resulting conflict, however, brought much harm on the people of Israel, and though it ultimately brought about a spiritual revival, many were killed. Some of the Jews succumbed to the flattery of the king and sided with Antiochus against their fellow Jews. The continued opposition of Antiochus to the Jewish faith is prophesied in verse 32, indicating how he attempts to corrupt them; but the strong reaction of the Jewish people is indicated in the expression but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. The resulting conflict, however, brought much harm on the people of Israel; and though it caused to some extent a spiritual revival, many were killed, as indicated in verse 33. Some of the Jews succumbed to the flattery of the king and defected from their fellow Jews as they revolted against Antiochus. It was a time of purging and separation of the true from the false, of those who were courageous from those who were fainthearted.