A Flattering Man
Daniel 11:23-33
And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.
This ruler here is seen standing without the glory of the kingdom yet in its' estate. He will make a league with many men of the kingdom through flattery. This man uses his mouth to speak of great and boastful things. Be careful when someone is a skillful talker for there may be a devil behind it. The tongue is the clue as to the state of this ruler's heart; James 3:8 says for this none can tame until it be set afire of hell. Here this flattering man is enabled to become strong "with small people." Even with few people on his side or under his rule, God will cause him to prosper. God was responsible for setting up the time of the end. This man had nothing to do with it. Yet, he is so sure he has done it all himself and can flatter anyone. Where there are places of much, plenty, riches, and prosperity, he will enter these to make them desolate. He will do as no other before nor after has done. Here this man is seen coming as does the thief of John 10:10 to steal, kill, and destroy. He takes these things that the people hold dear and scatters them. This is a time where he flatters the people also with many riches yet at the same time robs them. This man has little sense which is why none other before him has done as he did. Sometimes you can look at someone and wonder how they got to where they are in life. God did this thing so he alone could get the glory. Yet, this man knows it not. Such a time could almost correspond with the pale horse released by the angels of Revelation 6:8.
And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.
Here he is seen coming against the king of the south again whereas before those kingdoms had disappeared for a time. Now he pulls together his courage, power, and a great army with him. The king of the south is also enraged to meet him with his great army. There is a lot of he, him, and his to be seen here. The text does not say who but only that "he will not stand;" this is closest to the king of the south. This is why the army and those that feed the king will be devising plots. They will feed the king exactly what he needs to get him to the point they wish. This king here is weaker than before for he is trapped by his own devices. The army also will overflow showing the unruly nature of that which he controls; they themselves seem not to agree with him. They text says they "forecast devices." At Jesus death the soldiers cast lots for his garments in John 19:24. Here they will have their own private witch, wiccan, and seance party too unto this king's hurt. Note here that the people do not seem to wish to be in this position. This time could almost correspond to the black horse unleashed by the angel of Revelation 6:5-6. This is why it is God's time; he is in the house, and it is futile to resist.
And both of these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.
Both kings will run together even to the same table; there God will turn their hearts "to do mischief." Each one is as bad as the other at this point whether together or separate. However, each will clearly be running together again. They will sit at the same table as if in agreement and each tell lies. However, what has been spoken will have no prosperity nor will their mischief done stand. The text shows that nothing they can do will prevent what God has willed. You might be saying, 'you mean to tell us that these kings tried to catch the horses.' It sounds that way does it not? The horses have been let out of the barn but by the time the fourth rides there is no stopping them for it is the Lord's doing. This ought to show something of the true nature of this man. Man is very shallow, driven by every wind of doctrine so to speak. He is also very fickle and quick to please. However, when it comes to the Lord and his people his heart is set upon their destruction inflexibly. This situation sounds almost like Pharoah's of Exodus 9:12 which became hard. God is the owner and the operator of this house. Nothing man can do will prevent what is coming. Even if you try, the end is still at the time appointed. See, the text says that his heart will "be against the holy covenant." Then he will do great things and go back to his homeland.
At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter. For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
Again, the man returns at the time appointed. He has had an awful lot of comings and goings at this time; however, all of them have been appointed by the Lord. How many of you know that the steps of a good man are appointed by the Lord as in Psalm 37:23; thus, he delights in his way. How much more are the steps of the bad man appointed for whom judgement ahs been determined. The flattering man comes at the south again this time like no time before. This is a different sort of coming to be seen. It is one of unison towards a common purpose. There is neither giving of the multitude nor a bringing of armies as seen before. Here comes the ships of Chittim against him. Now, it should be noted this man has some natural enemies. The Scripture does not make clear just where Chittim is located. Chittim are the descendants of one of Noah's sons which built the ark to the saving of the souls of all inside as in Hebrews 11:7. Is it not fitting they are still ship builders after all this time. So, even if a descendent of Noah were to come and bring an army, none could save. Thus, the flattering man will be grieved and will purpose to come against the covenant. First, he will discuss it then he will forsake such.
And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.
The abomination that makes desolate is seen now standing in the holy place. Can it be so little time has passed? The rest of history passed so slowly in just a few short verses. But now it seems to fly swiftly. Much ground will be covered by it. Many people will arise as arms standing to take part in what is to come. Is it any wonder that God's judgment is so complete and so thorough in this time. They will "pollute the sanctuary of strength." But God should have been their refuge all along. Therefore, the source of strength is no longer seen in the sanctuary. Rather it can be found in him who is moving these events together for our eventual good, the time of our release, and for his glory. Even the sacrifice that is daily will be taken away. Jesus was the sacrifice once and for all to end all others. Psalm 118:22 calls him that stone the builders rejected. Now the people will be left with nothing. These people, in the absence of having nothing, are determined to do as King Nebuchanezzer had done. If you will recall, he made the golden image and set it up in the plain of Dura. These people will grow tired of having nothing and will do as with King Saul. Remember in 1 Samuel 10:22-23 where he was hauled out from among the baggage bodily to make him ruler. Only at this time, they will haul the flattering man into the temple to bring to pass the abomination of desolations spoken of prior. See how subtlety Satan works as he did in Genesis 3:1 to make the people believe it was all their idea.
And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.
The flattering man is busy at work. He himself is against the covenant; however, he allows those that "know their God" to prosper. Not only that, but he corrupts the evildoers against the covenant by more flattery. There seems to be no limits to this man's duplicity. He sounds exactly as Satan has done for years; he who rebelled against the Lord, yet it pleased him to still serve. Nor is there a bottom to man's depravity during this time. Neither have God's judgments abated. The understanding ones of the people are sent to this time to teach many others and to turn them to Christ. However, this time will be tribulation like never before seen since the beginning of the world. Then shall the righteous fall by "sword, by flame, by captivity, and by spoil." It sounds almost like another Hebrews 11 episode, does it not? I believe it was for this time that passage was intended to encourage the saints. Yes, it is for all those who face similar times. The time purposed may be for many days, but God will bring them out. I have said all along that he delivers as we shall soon see.