Yet to Come

Daniel 11:40-45 “At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood. 41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand. 42 He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will not escape. 43 He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Nubians in submission. 44 But reports from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many. 45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.”
 
WE will see how these prophecies of the future relate back to Genesis. But first, the events here occur at the time of the end. All references to “him”, “his” and “he” regard the coming Antichrist. As noted in Daniel 9:27, this ruler will make a covenant with Israel, and he will rule them.
    Then we see once again that wars will rage in the Mideast. In affirmation of passages from Ezekiel and Revelation, the vison foretells a king of the South will attack Israel. Likely this is Egypt, which is mentioned twice in verses 42-43. Egypt will have allies, possibly from Africa and the Arab nations in the Sinai area and Persian Gulf region.
    At the same time the king of the North will come. This could be the same prophecy as Ezekiel 38:15 You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army.”   
    As a result, the king of the South and the king of the North will fight against the Antichrist. Israel will be occupied, and many Jews will flee, seeking refuge among the Gentile nations.
    This is what God is going to do. Now let’s see how it relates to what God has done. In Genesis 9-10, we have the post-Flood story of Noah’s sons, Seth, Japheth and Ham. Ham sinned against Noah. In response, Noah cursed Ham’s descendants. And he blessed Seth’s generations. As a result, Seth’s descendants and Ham’s descendants would oppose each other. Now is the point: Seth’s descendants are Israel. Ham’s line is Egypt and the southern and coastal regions.
    Do you see sin’s lasting conflict? It began with Adam and Eve – transcended even through the Flood to Noah’s family. Sin’s conflict extended through the generations recorded in the Old Testament and caused God to send his own Son into the conflict.
    Jesus’ victory over sin and death is our only hope to be free of evil’s agony. The conflict will occur until the Lord declares the final judgment and victory.
    Pay attention. How you live will affect many others, even for generations. Listen to God and be prepared for the battles come your way.
 
Deuteronomy 10:20 Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. 21 He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.