Critics have long attempted to dismiss these chapters as written after the fact due to their perfect accuracy. But such arguments ignore the overwhelming historical, textual, and linguistic evidence that confirms these prophecies were indeed recorded long before the events occurred — particularly in the 6th century BC.
The rise and fall of Medo-Persia, the sudden conquest of Greece under Alexander the Great, the division of his empire into four parts, and the rise of kings such as Antiochus IV Epiphanes — all are described with such literary perfection that they read more like history than prophecy. Yet they were written long before the events ever happened. Only God can do that!
The precision of these fulfillments demonstrates a supernatural authorship. Human guesswork cannot explain the foresight shown in Daniel’s writings. As Isaiah 46:9–10 declares, “I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning.” The prophecies in Daniel 8 and 11 stand as absolute proof that the Bible is not merely the product of human authorship, but of a sovereign All knowing creator God who knows — and directs — the course of history.
Though we walk by faith and not by sight in this present dispensation of grace, God has already given us all the proof we need to be able to trust Him fully — through His fulfilled perfect Word
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
🦄 Daniel 8 Overview: The Rise and Division of the Greek Empire (Daniel written ~ 530 BC fulfilled by Alexander the great 336-323 BC )
🖌Prophecy –
🔹 Daniel 8:5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power. 7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. 8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.
🧠 Context of Daniel 8
• Daniel receives a vision during the reign of King Belshazzar of Babylon (around 539 B.C.). (Daniel 5:30, Belshazzar is killed the night Babylon falls. Historically, Cyrus the Great’s army (Medes + Persians), took Babylon in 539 BC, with little resistance as prophesied by Isaiah 45:1, 150 years earlier)
• The vision involves:
o A ram with two horns (Medo-Persian Empire)
o A he goat with a prominent horn (Grecian Empire)
• The angel Gabriel later interprets this vision to Daniel.
• The vision symbolically predicts the exact conquest of Medo Persia by Alexander the great centuries before it happened.
🛑Timeline of the Conquest: (Source Britannica encyclopedia)
334 BC: Alexander invades Persian territory; wins the Battle of Granicus.
333 BC: Defeats Darius III at the Battle of Issus.
331 BC: Final blow at Gaugamela — Darius flees, and Alexander captures key Persian cities.
330 BC: Persepolis, the Persian capital, is burned; Darius III is killed — marking the end of the Achaemenid Empire.
✅Fulfillment –
• The He-Goat (Dan. 8:5,21): Symbolizes Greece, led by Alexander the Great (the “notable horn”).
📖Daniel 8:5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.
📖Daniel 8:21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.
🛑The Great Horn Broken: Refers to Alexander’s sudden death at age 32.
🛑Four Notable Horns: His empire was divided among four generals:
o Cassander: Macedonia and Greece
o Lysimachus: Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey)
o Seleucus: Syria and the East
o Ptolemy: Egypt
➡️ These four divisions are also alluded to as going toward the "four winds," showing their spread across the region.
👑 Daniel 8:9 – The Rise of the Little Horn (Future)
🔹 “And out of one of them came forth a little horn…”
• “Out of one of them” = Out of one of the four divisions of the Greek empire.
• The "little horn" refers to the future the Antichrist.
o Historically: Antiochus Epiphanes, a Seleucid (Syrian) king, foreshadows the future Antichrist.
o Prophetically: Points to the end-time Antichrist, arising out of the Syrian division.
🛑Fun facts re Antiochus IV Epiphanes: (Source Jewish Encyclopedia)
🔹 Reign: 175–164 BCE
🔹 Dynasty: Seleucid Empire (a Hellenistic state formed after the breakup of Alexander the Great’s empire)
🔹 Known for: Aggressive Hellenization policies and persecution of the Jewish religion, which led to the Maccabean Revolt.
The Seleucid Empire itself was one of the major successor states of Alexander’s empire, ruling over a large portion of the M East, including Syria, Mesopotamia, and parts of Anatolia and Persia.
This lines up with the broader prophetic pattern that the Antichrist comes from the region of ancient Assyria/Syria.
📖Isaiah 14:25 That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders (God only has one land - Israel)
📖Isaiah 10:5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.
📖Micah 5:5 And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men
📜 Daniel 11:5–20 – Historical Conflict Between North and South
• King of the South = Egypt (Ptolemaic Empire)
• King of the North = Syria (Seleucid Empire)
• Verses 5–20 describe historical battles between these two powers fulfilled literally.
• Israel is the buffer zone in between.
✅Fulfillment –
🛑Historical fulfilment of Daniel 11:5-20
📖Daniel 11:5 “The king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.”
🔸Fulfillment: After Alexander’s death (323 BC), his empire was divided among 4 generals.
🔸Ptolemy I Soter took Egypt – “King of the South”
🔸Seleucus I Nicator, originally one of Ptolemy’s commanders (“one of his princes”), eventually took Syria, Mesopotamia, and more, creating a larger kingdom than Ptolemy’s.
🔸Seleucus’ dominion was “strong above him” — historically validated.
📖Daniel 11:6 “In the end of years they shall join themselves together… the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north…”
🔸 Fulfillment: Around 250 BC, Ptolemy II Philadelphus gave his daughter Berenice in marriage to Antiochus II Theos, king of the North (Seleucid).
🔸 The marriage was to make peace. However, Antiochus divorced his first wife, Laodice, to marry Berenice.
🔸 But Laodice murdered Berenice, her child, and Antiochus to reclaim power.
📖“She shall not retain the power…” — Exactly fulfilled and historically validated.
📖Daniel 11:7–8 “Out of a branch of her roots…”
🔸 Fulfillment: Berenice’s brother, Ptolemy III Euergetes, invaded Syria to avenge her death.
🔸 He defeated the Seleucid forces, killed Laodice, and took vast spoils from Syria back to Egypt, including idols, treasure, and captives.
📖He “shall prevail” and “carry captives into Egypt… gods… gold and silver.” Fulfilled precisely.
📖Daniel 11:9–10 “The king of the south shall come into his kingdom…”
🔸 Ptolemy III returns to Egypt, leaving the North weakened.
🔸 Later, Seleucus II Callinicus (son of Antiochus II) tries and fails to invade Egypt.
🔸 His sons — Seleucus III and Antiochus III (the Great) — raise armies and reconquer much territory, including parts of Israel.
📖Daniel 11:10 "But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress. — Fulfilled during Antiochus III’s campaigns (219–217 BC) involved a strong military invasion through Syria into Judea but defeated at the Battle of Raphia 217 BC.
📖Daniel 11:11–12 “And the king of the south shall be moved with choler (anger), and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand. 12 And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.”
🔸 In 217 BC, Ptolemy IV Philopator (South - ruler of Egypt) marched North with a large army and fights Antiochus III (North) at the Battle of Raphia (south of Gaza).
🔸 Antiochus’ “great multitude” - massive army (ancient sources estimate 70k troops) but despite the size of his army, he is defeated, and Ptolemy is victorious.
📖“He shall cast down many ten thousands…” — true historically, Antiochus lost tens of thousands of soldiers.
📖“But he shall not be strengthened by it…” — Despite the victory, Egypt's power weakened over time, his territory never expanded and he ended up making a peace treaty with Antiochus.
📖Daniel 11:13–14 “"For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.14 And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall."
🔸 About 14 years later (203 BC), Antiochus III regroups and attacks Egypt (Ptolemaic Kingdom South) again, stronger than before.
🔸This was during a weak period for Egypt — Ptolemy IV had died, and the throne passed to his young son, Ptolemy V Epiphanes, who was just a child.
🔸 Many rebels in Israel attempting to bring about independence for Israel (the robbers of thy people) join him, thinking this will bring them liberation from Egypt — but they fail.
📖Daniel 11:15–16 “So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand. 16 "But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed."”
🔸 Antiochus III (king of the north) defeats the Egyptians decisively and takes Sidon (heavily fortified city modern day Lebanon), where Egyptian general Scopas is trapped and surrenders.
🔸 He enters the “glorious land” (Israel), taking control from Egypt (Battle of Panium 200BC), occupying Judea around 198 BC making it part of the Seleucid Empire.
📖Daniel 11:17 “ “He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him.”
🔸To secure peace with Egypt, Antiochus gives his daughter Cleopatra I in marriage to Ptolemy V. - Famous “marriage alliance” of 193 BC.
🔸“Corrupting her” Antiochus hoped she would act in his interests, but she sided with her husband instead.
📖Daniel 11:17 “She shall not stand on his side…” — Cleopatra did not support her father’s political ploy. She sided with Egypt, and Antiochus lost control of the situation - fulfilled exactly.
📖Daniel 11:18–19 After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him. 19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
🔸 Antiochus III turned west to conquer parts of Asia Minor and Greece (“isles”). Antiochus III invaded Thrace, Macedonia, and parts of Greece.
🔸The “prince” here refers to Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus, a Roman general who was angered at Antiochus and responded militarily
🔸 Antiochus III was defeated by the Romans, at the Battle of Magnesia (190 BC). His reproach turned back on himself by a crushing defeat
🔸 He returned to Syria and forced to pay massive tribute to Rome which crippled his empire financially and was later killed while trying to plunder a Baal temple in (Susa) Elam.
Fulfilled perfectly!
📖Daniel 11:20 “Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes…”
🔸 His son Seleucus IV Philopator took over and imposed heavy taxes in order to be able to pay Rome
🔸 He sent a tax collector (Heliodorus) to plunder the temple in Jerusalem. (recorded in 2 Maccabees 3:6-14).
🔸 Seleucus was mysteriously poisoned — not in war.
Daniel 11:20 "but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle“ — historically true.
However, a second view on this prophecy is that Augustus Caesar fulfilled this piece and it refers to the transition from the Greek to the Roman Empire
🔸Augustus Caesar (Octavian) succeeded Julius Caesar (27BC) and established the Roman Empire ruling until 14AD
🔸After defeating Antony and Cleopatra (31 BC) Battle of Actium, he became the uncontested ruler of Rome — standing up in Caesar’s estate
🔸Under Augustus, Rome conducted a census for taxation purposes around 2 BC (historically documented by Roman historian Suetonius and others, proven by Papyrus records from Egypt (Oxyrhynchus Papyri):
📖Luke 2:1 — “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.” + Acts 5:37 "After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed."
🔸This decree was what brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem — directly linking Augustus to a prophetically significant taxation. Used also by the Lord to fulfil the prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem Micah 5:2 “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Fulfilled Matthew 2:1-6
🔸Augustus ruled during Rome’s Empire reign, a time of peace, prosperity, and massive territorial expansion.
🔸He initiated the Pax Romana (Roman Peace) — a perfect example of ruling in the “glory of the kingdom.”
Augustus died in 14 AD of natural causes at age 75 in Nola, not in battle or by assassination.
📖Daniel 11:20 "Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle" — whichever view you take is also precisely fulfilled.
These verses double as both historical and prophetic foreshadowings (verses 21-45), reinforcing that the "King of the North" is Syria—not Russia as the sensationalist end times teachers proclaim.
🖌Prophecy – Yet to be fulfilled, which will be as perfectly and literally as the above
📖Luke 24:44 And he (Jesus) said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me
⚔️ Daniel 11:21–35 – Future Antichrist who signs the 7 year covenant with Israel parallel Daniel 9:27
📖Daniel 11:21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. 22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant. 23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. 24 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. 25 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.
🔸These verses do not describe Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who desecrated the Temple in 167 BC as many think, he did not come in peaceably instead forcefully usurped the throne that should have passed to Demetrius, using force, oppression and bribery not diplomacy, treaty or covenant albeit vile is a good description of his moral character. There is no historical peace accord or treaty recorded, he made no league with Israel, instead violently oppressed them. The Lord Jesus Christ places these events as future - Matthew 24:15 – “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet…” Daniel 9:26–27: Messiah is cut off, then the prince to come (Antichrist) makes a covenant. I believe Him!
🔸Antiochus Epiphanes does serve as a prophetic type and foreshadow of the future Antichrist who will do the same, though his power will be gained through flatteries and the signing of 7 year covenant Daniel 9:27 + 11:22 + Isaiah 28:15,18.
The historical + prophetic context confirms the Antichrist arises from the Seleucid (Syrian) territory.
🕰️ Daniel 11:36–45 – The Future Antichrist and the Final Conflict
📖Daniel 11:40 – And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. 41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
🔹King of the South (Egypt) pushes at him.
🔹King of the North (Syria) comes against him with military force.
🔹He invades the Glorious Land (Israel) (v. 41).
🔹Overthrows many nations; Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia fall under his control.
Troubles from the East and North cause a furious response (v. 44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many).
He plants his palace in the Holy Mountain (Jerusalem) (v. 45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.) but comes to his end.
This is totally consistent with the Middle Eastern geography, not a European or Russian figure.
💡 Why the King of the North Is Not Russia
Daniel 11:44 – “Tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him.”
If the Antichrist were Russian, nothing is north of Russia—makes no geographic sense.
The King of the North must be south of Russia, yet north of Israel.
Thus, the Syrian territory, including modern Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, fits perfectly.
This was the Seleucid region—one of the four divisions from Daniel 8.
🧩 Summary of Daniel 8 Fulfillment
🔸Daniel 8 He goat = Greece, great horn = Alexander the Great's empire broken into 4 kingdoms
➤ Daniel 8:21
The great horn = first king of Greece
➤ Fulfilled in Alexander the Great
He defeated the ram (Medo-Persia) quickly
➤ Historically accurate: 334–330 B.C.
The great horn was broken = sudden death
➤ Alexander died young at the height of his power
Four horns rose in its place = kingdom divided
➤ Alexander’s empire split among four generals, ruling four regions
🔸Daniel 11:5-20 Historical battles between Egypt (South) and Syria (North)
🧩Summary of yet future
🔸Daniel 8:9 Little horn (Antichrist) arises from one of these (Seleucid/Syrian region)
🔸Daniel 11:21-35 Future rise of the antichrist
🔸Daniel 11:36-45 End-time Antichrist comes from the King of the North (Syria)
🔸Daniel 11:44 Confirms he's south of Russia – must be in the Middle East "Assyrian" references (e.g., Isaiah 10:5, Micah 5:5) Connects Antichrist to ancient Assyria – modern-day Syria/Iraq
Despite skeptics claiming a later authorship of Daniel—based purely on the basis that the prophetic events were fulfilled too perfectly — a God fearing bible believer can be confident of its 6th-century BC origin, trust Gods Word/wisdom not men.
📖Isaiah 42:9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
📖John 14:29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
📖Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
https://www.evidenceunseen.com/bible-difficulties-2/ot-difficulties/daniel-amos/authorship-of-daniel/
🛑9 full proof arguments supporting a 6th-century BC authorship of the Book of Daniel, rather than the 2nd-century BC Maccabean theory:
✅ 1. The Book Claims to Be Written by Daniel
• Internal claims of authorship (Dan. 7:1; 12:4).
• Denying this implies the author was intentionally deceptive. 📖 Proverbs 30:5-6 "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."
📖 Psalm 12:6-7 "The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."
✅ 2. Jesus Christ Affirmed Daniel as the Author
• Jesus called Daniel a “prophet” and referenced his writings (Matt. 24:15) validating them.
• He believed Daniel predicted future events, including the Second Coming (Matt. 26:64, Dan. 7:13–14).
• If Daniel was fictional, Jesus would be mistaken or misleading—unacceptable to Bible believers.
📖 Romans 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written
✅ 3. The Prophet Ezekiel Mentions Daniel
• Ezekiel (575 BC) refers to Daniel as a real and righteous man (Ezek. 14:14, 20; 28:3).
• Critics suggest a pagan figure is meant, but context proves this refers to the biblical Daniel.
• Even skeptical scholars accept a 6th-century date for Ezekiel.
✅ 4. Josephus Confirms Daniel’s Prophecies Were Known Before 330 BC
• Historian Josephus wrote that Alexander the Great was shown Daniel’s prophecy predicting his conquest.
• Suggests Daniel’s book predated Alexander and was respected as prophetic scripture.
✅ 5. 1 Maccabees Acknowledges Daniel as Historical
• Written during the Maccabean Revolt (167 BC), 1 Maccabees refers to Daniel as a historical figure (2:59–61).
• Demonstrates that Daniel was already regarded as canonical and respected by this time.
✅ 6. Historical Accuracy Supports Early Date
• Correctly distinguishes Susa as being in Elam — a subtle but historically accurate geopolitical detail.
• Knows about Belshazzar, a figure forgotten by 2nd-century writers and rediscovered by archaeology in the 19th century – Cuneiform tablets which revealed Belshazzar was a real person.
• Accurately reflects execution methods: Babylonians used fire; Persians used lions — consistent with Daniel 3 and 6.
✅ 7. Literary and Linguistic Evidence
• Aramaic in Daniel matches Imperial Aramaic of the 6th–5th centuries BC. Archaeological texts (like the Elephantine Papyri) confirm this linguistic detail
• Later Aramaic (used around 167 BC) differs significantly.
• Persian loan words are consistent with someone living after Babylon's fall.
• Only 3 Greek loan words (all musical instruments), suggesting minimal Greek influence — unlikely if written in 167 BC after 160+ years of Greek rule.
• Greek terms found predate Daniel (used by Homer), refuting Greek-era origin.
• References to titles, officials, and cities match what is now known from ancient Near Eastern records and inscriptions
✅ 8. Early Manuscript Evidence
• Dead Sea Scrolls (Cave 4, Qumran) include Daniel fragments dated to 120–145 BC.
• Presence of scribal errors implies the text had been in existence much earlier, allowing time for errors to accumulate.
✅ 9. Prophecy Still Stands Even If Written Later
• Even with a 2nd-century date, some prophecies (e.g. of the Messiah’s death) occurred centuries later.
• The book retains its prophetic significance either way.
📌 Conclusion:
These points together prove that Daniel:
• Was known and respected centuries before 167 BC.
• Reflects 6th-century language, history, and culture.
• Contains prophecies too precise to be written long after the fact, unless supernatural prediction is acknowledged.
📖 1 Corinthians 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God
You have a choice about where your never-dying soul will spend eternity — in the glory of paradise with the Lord Jesus Christ, or in eternal torment, burning in the lake of fire. The good news is that Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. Believe this gospel of grace from your heart, and you are saved in that very moment — fully, freely, and forever 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Since everything we've seen has been fulfilled literally just as it was written — and future events are unfolding just as Scripture details — you can be absolutely sure that every warning about hell and the lake of fire is just as literal, and just as certain
📖 Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
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