What is the meaning of Daniel 11:27? And the two kings “And the two kings” (Daniel 11:27) points to the historical rulers of the North and the South—Antiochus IV Epiphanes of Syria and Ptolemy VI Philometor of Egypt. • Daniel 11 traces a literal sequence of conflicts between these two lines (cf. Daniel 11:5–20). • Their rivalry previewed the future struggle between the Antichrist and other earthly powers (cf. Daniel 7:24–25; 1 John 2:18). • Though mere men, they imagine themselves masters of their destinies, echoing rulers in Psalm 2:1–3 who “take their stand…against the LORD.” with their hearts bent on evil “with their hearts bent on evil” shows their inner nature. • Scripture teaches that “the heart is deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9), and these kings illustrate that truth. • Their motives are not mixed; they are intentionally rebellious, paralleling Romans 3:10–18. • Their wicked agendas remind us that history is not morally neutral—human choices matter, yet God’s plan overrules (Proverbs 21:1). will speak lies at the same table “will speak lies at the same table” captures a moment of treacherous diplomacy. • Antiochus and Ptolemy sat down in 170 BC, outwardly agreeing to peace while secretly plotting against each other. • This pattern of deceit fulfills Daniel 8:25: “He will cause deceit to prosper.” • Psalm 55:21 describes such duplicity: “His words were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart.” • Revelation 16:13–14 shows lying spirits still influencing political leaders in the last days. but to no avail “but to no avail” signals the futility of their schemes. • Proverbs 19:21: “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.” • Their temporary gains collapse—Antiochus’s campaigns falter, and Egypt slips from Ptolemy’s grasp. • Psalm 33:10: “The LORD foils the plans of the nations.” God allows human plotting only so far as it serves His larger design. for still the end will come “for still the end will come” lifts the reader’s eyes beyond 2nd-century events to the climactic end of the age. • Jesus echoed this in Matthew 24:6: “the end is still to come.” • History presses toward a divinely fixed goal; no alliance can halt or hasten it. • Isaiah 46:10 reminds us: God declares “the end from the beginning.” at the appointed time “at the appointed time” affirms God’s sovereign timetable. • Habakkuk 2:3: “The vision awaits an appointed time… it will surely come; it will not delay.” • Galatians 4:4 applies the same principle to Christ’s first coming; Acts 17:26 to the rise and fall of nations. • Nothing is random; every king, every crisis fits the clock of heaven. summary Daniel 11:27 describes two historically identifiable kings scheming together, driven by evil hearts, practicing calculated deception, and yet failing because God’s sovereign plan marches on. Their story, literally fulfilled in the 2nd century BC, foreshadows the final showdowns of the last days. Human rulers may connive, but the Lord alone sets the “appointed time,” ensuring that His redemptive purposes are fulfilled exactly as written. |
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