What is the meaning of Daniel 11:38? And in their place Daniel 11:38 opens, “And in their place….” The phrase looks back to verse 37, where the coming ruler abandons the traditional gods of his ancestors. In other words, having rejected every previous authority, he now installs something entirely different. Scripture repeatedly shows such a shift whenever leaders discard truth (Judges 2:12; Romans 1:23). Daniel had already seen rulers “intend to change times and law” (Daniel 7:25), and the apostle Paul foresees the “man of lawlessness” who “sets himself up in God’s temple” (2 Thessalonians 2:4). History and prophecy agree: when truth is pushed aside, a vacuum is created—and it never stays empty for long. he will honor The text continues, “…he will honor….” Honor here is more than polite respect; it is worship, allegiance, and passionate promotion. Revelation 13:4 describes the world marveling and worshiping the beast, crying, “Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against it?” The Antichrist exalts this newfound deity publicly and persistently, just as Nebuchadnezzar once forced all peoples to bow to his golden image (Daniel 3:4-6). Honor, then, means he will: • Celebrate this god’s supremacy. • Demand acknowledgment from others. • Structure his kingdom around its ideals. a god of fortresses “…a god of fortresses….” Rather than trusting the LORD who calls Himself our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1), this ruler puts his confidence in military power, strongholds, and weaponry. Habakkuk 1:11 portrays a similar mindset: “Then they sweep by like the wind and pass on—yet they are guilty; their strength is their god.” Revelation 13:7-8 confirms that global power and warfare characterize the beast’s reign. For a short season, the world will worship might as right, believing military dominance guarantees peace. Yet Psalm 20:7 reminds us, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” a god his fathers did not know “…a god his fathers did not know….” The novelty is deliberate. By choosing a deity unfamiliar to previous generations, the ruler breaks every remaining tie to historical faith or tradition. Deuteronomy 32:17 warned Israel about sacrificing “to demons they had not known, to gods newly arrived, which your fathers did not fear.” Likewise, Revelation 17:8 depicts the beast as something the world has “never seen.” Novelty often masquerades as progress, but Scripture clarifies that any departure from the true God is regression into darkness. with gold, silver, precious stones, and riches Finally, “…with gold, silver, precious stones, and riches.” Lavish wealth fuels the cult. Revelation 18:12-13 lists similar treasures driving the last-days economy, and Ezekiel 28:4 links luxury with prideful rebellion. By pouring money into this false worship, the ruler: • Makes idolatry look irresistible and sophisticated. • Incentivizes loyalty—follow him, and the riches flow. • Displays apparent invincibility, persuading nations that siding against him would be foolish. Jesus’ warning rings true: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). The Antichrist’s heart is fixed on treasure, and treasure is used to fix the world’s heart on him. summary Daniel 11:38 portrays a future ruler who, after rejecting every former allegiance, builds his empire on worship of militarized power. He elevates this “god of fortresses” with fervent honor, unprecedented novelty, and extravagant wealth. Cross-scriptural echoes—from Habakkuk to Revelation—confirm that humanity’s final rebellion will hinge on trusting might, riches, and self-exaltation rather than the living God. The faithful, therefore, are called to cling to the true Fortress, Jesus Christ, refusing the glitter of impostors and the intimidation of earthly power. |
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