Sermon Summary: Daniel and the Antichrist's Sure Fate (Daniel 11)

If you’ve ever tried reading Daniel 11 in one sitting, you might feel like you’ve attempted a mental version of American Ninja Warrior. The chapter is dense, brimming with rulers, conflicts, alliances, and battles that require masterful mental agility to understand. It is a detailed prophecy of history spanning centuries, and by the time you reach the end (assuming you make it), you might find yourself asking, “What did I just read?”

Daniel 11 is widely acknowledged as one of the most challenging chapters in the Bible to preach. A straightforward, line-by-line exposition can leave even the most attentive listener overwhelmed. To navigate this complex passage, we’ll take a different approach, examining it through three key movements: the rise and fall of empires, the fierce intensity of history, and the ultimate resolution of it all—the fiery end of the Antichrist. As we explore these sections, we will circle around one central truth: resistance to God is futile.

The Rise and Fall of Empires (Daniel 11:1-20)

The first part of Daniel 11 sweeps us through centuries of history, beginning with the Persian Empire, which was still in power during Daniel’s lifetime. The angelic messenger tells Daniel that Persia will continue to dominate for a time, with successive kings rising to power. Eventually, however, a mighty king from Greece—known to us as Alexander the Great—will rise and conquer the Persian Empire.

Alexander’s rise is legendary. By the age of 30, he had built one of the largest empires the world had ever seen. Yet his reign, for all its might and splendor, was fleeting. When Alexander died suddenly at the age of 32, his empire splintered into four smaller kingdoms, each ruled by one of his generals. Of these, two—the Seleucid Empire in Syria and the Ptolemaic Kingdom in Egypt—emerged as central players in the unfolding drama of Daniel 11. For generations, these dynasties waged a relentless struggle for dominance, marked by alliances, betrayals, and wars.

Amid this back-and-forth political intrigue, the text repeatedly emphasizes the futility of human ambition. Time and again, it declares that the plans of kings will come to nothing. Statements like “He will rise, but his power will not last” (11:4) and “He will try to consolidate his power, but it will not succeed” (11:6) punctuate the narrative, reminding us that the sovereignty of God ultimately directs the course of history.

Theologian Dale Ralph Davis identifies ten striking reversals in just sixteen verses, illustrating how God overturns human plans:

Verse 4 - his kingdom shall be broken and divided

Verse 6 - but she will not hold on to the strength of (her) arm...but she will be given over

Verse 9 - but he shall return to his land

Verse 11b - but the multitude shall be given into his hand

Verse 12b - but he will not remain strong

Verse 14b - Violent ones among your own people will assert themselves to fulfill a vision, but they will fail

Verse 17b - And the daughter of women he will give to him to destroy it [= the Egyptian Kingdom?], but it will not stand and will not prove to his advantage

Verse 18b - but a commander shall put an end to his arrogance

Verse 19b - but he shall stumble and fall, and will not be found

Verse 20b - but within a few das he will be broken, but not in anger or battle

Reading this section feels like watching two chess masters locked in an exhausting match, their kings and queens constantly maneuvered, captured, and replaced. Yet beneath the seeming chaos, God’s sovereign hand remains steady. As Isaiah 40:15 reminds us, “Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales.” The rise and fall of these empires, as tumultuous as they seemed at the time, were no threat to God’s plan. Each came to nothing.

What can we learn from these dizzying details? One vital truth is that history is never random or left to chance. Kingdoms rise and fall, but Christ’s throne remains unshaken. Psalm 45:6 declares, “Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever.” The same God who guided history then is guiding it now.

Think of history as a shoreline, with empires as waves—crashing in with tremendous force but inevitably receding. Christ, however, is the rock beneath the sand, steadfast and immovable. When the turbulence of current events feels overwhelming, we can rest in the One who rules over the nations and holds our lives in His hands.

The Intensity of History (Daniel 11:21-35)

As the chapter unfolds, the focus narrows to a particularly dark period in Jewish history, dominated by the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Known for his cunning and cruelty, Antiochus brought immense suffering to God’s people.

Antiochus is infamous for desecrating the Jewish temple. He outlawed Jewish worship, imposed Greek customs, and even erected an altar to Zeus in the temple. This act, referred to as “the abomination that causes desolation,” was more than a political crisis—it was a spiritual assault, striking at the heart of Jewish faith and identity.

Jesus Himself references this “abomination of desolation” in Matthew 24:15, using it to foreshadow future persecution and tribulation. Antiochus thus serves as a prototype of the kind of evil God’s people will face repeatedly throughout history.

Periods of intense suffering, whether in history or our personal lives, can feel unrelenting. The weight of such times can lead us to question whether God is present. Yet Daniel reminds us that even in the darkest moments, God’s purposes are unfolding. Jesus assures us in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Difficult seasons are like storms—unpredictable, often fierce, and sometimes longer than we’d like. Yet storms do pass, and when they do, the sun breaks through. God’s faithfulness is like that sun—constant, steady, and always ready to shine again. While we may not understand His timing, we can trust that He is working all things for His glory and our good.

The Antichrist’s Sure Fate (Daniel 11:36-45)

The final section of Daniel 11 shifts the focus to a tyrant who surpasses even Antiochus in arrogance and oppression. While scholars debate whether these verses still describe Antiochus or leap forward to a future figure, many agree that this tyrant foreshadows the Antichrist, the ultimate enemy of God’s people.

This ruler, like Antiochus, exalts himself above all others, even claiming divine authority. Yet his reign, as terrifying as it may appear, is destined for destruction. Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 2:8, “The lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendor of His coming.”

Daniel 11 reminds us that the forces of evil, formidable as they may seem, are always under God’s control. They may rise for a time, but their power is limited, and their defeat is certain. Romans 8:37-39 reassures us: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

How Should We Respond?

Stepping back from Daniel 11, one theme becomes clear: kings rise, kingdoms fall, but Christ’s Kingdom is unstoppable and eternal. Every earthly ruler, no matter how powerful, eventually fades. Only Jesus, the King of Kings, reigns forever.

The chapter, therefore, also reveals the futility of human ambition. Again and again, rulers rise only to see their plans thwarted. Humbly, we must acknowledge that the same is true for us. Even our best hopes, dreams, and plans falter. How should we respond?

Meditate on God's sovereign goodness in uncertain times.

Take time to reflect on His sovereignty and goodness every day. Read passages like Psalm 46 or Isaiah 40, and remind yourself that nothing is outside His power or care. Readings like these can reorient your heart toward peace and hope, even when circumstances are unclear. Trust that the same God who has guided history is faithfully guiding your life today. He is!

Repent of the natural tendency toward self-reliance.

We all have a tendency to trust in our own strength, plans, and abilities, but Scripture warns us that self-reliance leads to futility. Proverbs 3:5-6 calls us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Confess any areas where you’ve been trying to handle life on your own terms. Repentance isn’t about shame; it’s about realigning your heart with God’s grace, which is sufficient for every need.

Submit your plans to the Lord in prayer.

Whether you’re making small daily decisions or wrestling with major life changes, bring your plans to God. Pray with the humility of Proverbs 16:3: “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Surrendering your plans isn’t about giving up control; it’s about entrusting them to the One who knows the end from the beginning. In prayer, seek His wisdom, ask for guidance, and trust Him to direct your steps.

Choose to receive and rest in God's plans.

Sometimes God’s plans don’t align with our expectations, but His purposes are always better. Choosing to receive and rest in His will requires faith, but it also brings peace. Remember the words of Jeremiah to the Jewish people amid dark times, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (29:11). While directed toward an original audience, the broader principle holds true for all of God's children (cf. Romans 8). Rest in the assurance that His plans for your life are good, even when they challenge or surprise you.

Conclusion

Daniel 11 calls us to lift our eyes beyond the rise and fall of earthly powers and fix them on Christ, the eternal King. His Kingdom is advancing, often quietly and unseen, but always moving forward. It is the one hope, the one foundation, that will never be shaken. Until the day Christ returns and every knee bows before Him, may we live with confidence, courage, and joy, proclaiming His Kingdom in a world desperate for unshakable hope.