Daniel 10: The apparition of the angel
"'Don't be afraid, Daniel," he told me, "because from the first day that you committed yourself to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I've come in answer to your prayers. However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for 21 days. Then—look!—Michael, one of the chief angels, came to assist me. I had been detained there near the kings of Persia. Now I've come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the days to come, because the vision pertains to those days.' "After he had spoken to me like this, I bowed my face to the ground, unable to speak. But all of a sudden someone who resembled a human being touched my lips, so I opened my mouth and spoke, addressing the one who was standing in front of me: 'Sir, I'm overwhelmed with anguish by this vision. I have no strength left. So how can a servant of my lord talk with someone like you, sir? And as for me, there's no strength left in me, and I can hardly breathe.' "Then this person who looked like a man touched me again and strengthened me and said, 'Don't be afraid, man highly regarded. Be at peace, and be strong.' "As soon as he spoke to me, I gained strength and replied, 'Sir, please speak, now that you've strengthened me.' "Then he said, 'Do you understand why I came to you? Soon I'll return to fight the prince of Persia. I'm going forth to war—and take note—the prince of Greece is coming. I'll inform you about what has been recorded in the Book of Truth. No one stands firmly with me against these opponents, except Michael your prince (Daniel 10.12-21).
Daniel received a revelation of a great conflict between two kingdoms. He could grasp the meaning but could not fully understand. He began to pray and fast that the Lord God would give him insight. After 21 days of fast, an angel visits him to give him the full understanding of the revelation. The revelation is explained to him in a vision. This vision is recorded in chapters 11 and 12. The angel arrives 21 days late because the enemy (the prince of Persia) was resisting him from coming to Daniel. The angel fights the prince of Persia with the strength and support from angel Michael. Michael and Jesus is the same person. The Lord is the first born of the angels and men (Col 1:15-20). As a man, he is called Jesus and as an angel, he is called Michael.
Babylon (Babylon, Persia and Greece) is ruled by the devil. Each of the kingdoms of Babylon is ruled by a prince. When the king of Persia fell, another prince arose, the prince of Greece. Antiochus IV Epiphanes was the prince of the kingdom of Seleucid Greece.
Daniel 11 gives highlights on the second kingdom of Babylon (Persia) but lays emphasis on the third and fourth kingdom of Babylon (Greece and Seleucid Greece). It recounts the activities of the little horn and of another coming king.
Daniel 12 explains the fifth kingdom, the kingdom of the Son of Man.
Daniel 11 – the Seleucids and Ptolemies Conflict
Now I'll tell you the truth: Look! Three more kings will arise in Persia. Then a fourth will gain more than them all. As soon as he gains power by means of his wealth, he'll stir up everyone against the Grecian kingdoms. A mighty king will come to power, and he'll rule with awesome energy, doing whatever he pleases. However, after he has come to power, his kingdom will be broken and parceled out in all directions. It will not go to his succeeding descendants, nor will its power match how he ruled, because his sovereignty will be uprooted and given to successors besides them (V2-4):
Daniel received this vision at the time, Cyrus the great, was king of Persia. The angel foretold the coming of three more kings; Cambyses II, Darius I, and Xerxes I. Cyrus was the first and Xerxes I was the fourth. Xerxes I was wealthy and he could gather a great army to war on the entire Greece.
1. Cyrus the Great (539-530 BC)
2. Cambyses (529-522BC)
3. Darius I (522-486BC)
4. Xerxes I (486-465BC)
The mighty king that came to power is Alexander the Great. Alexander, the son of Philip of Macedonia, came to power in 335BC. He fought many battles: The battle of the Granicus River, the Battle of Issus, the fall of the city of Tyre, the Battle of Gaugmela etc. Alexander was unstoppable. In Just four years he had conquered all the Greek states, all of Egypt, and the entire Persian Empire, including Syria and Palestine. Alexander turned his attention to Russia & India, and conquered much of both countries.
Alexander the Great died after 12 years of reign in 323 BC and he left no heir to the throne. His four generals began fighting over the control of the vast empire. Finally, it was decided to divide the kingdom four ways among the top four generals. These four generals were known as the Diadochi, which in Greek means "Successors." They were:
1. Ptolemy Lagi: He ruled over Egypt, Palestine, Arabia, and Peterea. He was assisted by a general named Seleucus, who had originally been given Babylon, but who was later forced out by Antigonus.
2. Antigonus: He controlled Syria, Babylonia, and central Asia.
3. Cassander: He ruled over Macedonia and Greece.
4. Lysimachus: He ruled over Thrace and Bythinia.
Even though the kingdom had been divided between them, these “Diadochi” continued to fight one another. There were frequent outbursts of violence as they sought to gain each other's territory. Antigonus was probably the worst of the generals. The others finally allied themselves together and drove him out in 312 BC. Members of his family managed to flee to Macedonia where they set up a small kingdom. General Seleucus seized this opportunity and took back the territory which had originally been given to him. Ptolemy Lagi extended his boundaries northward from Egypt to include the area occupied by the Jews. Thus, the Jews came under the rule of the Ptolemies, which rule, they held until 198 BC.
The southern king will become strong, along with one of his officials, who will become stronger than he and rule over his own realm with great power (V 5): When Antigonus, (Seleucus’ official) had usurped Seleucus’ position and authority, Seleucus fled to Egypt. While in Egypt, he gave his full support to Ptolemy I Soter in 316 B.C. Later, Antigonus was defeated. Seleucus seized the opportunity to regain his territory. Syria and Babylonia now became the Seleucid Dynasty. Seleucus is the Prince who became more powerful, for after leaving Ptolemy in the south, he not only regained his northern territory but expanded it. After the Battle of Ipsus (301 BC), Seleucus succeeded in taking all the territory previously held by Antigonus. The kingdom of Lysimachus was also absorbed into the Seleucid Dynasty. Thus, except for the small Macedonian kingdom, the entire empire of Alexander was now controlled by the Seleucids in the North and the Ptolemy in the South. The Seleucid Empire became a kingdom of its own and it is the fourth beast of Daniel 7. It is a kingdom which sprung from the four kingdoms of Greece.
After a number of years, they'll become allies and the daughter of the southern king will go to the northern king in order to craft alliances. But she won't remain in power, nor will he retain his power. Instead, she'll be surrendered, along with her entourage, the one who fathered her, and the one who supported her at that time (V 6): Upon the death of the first two kings; Ptolemy I and Antiochus I, the two empires began fighting themselves especially over the control of Palestine. In 250 B.C, Antiochus II Theos and Ptolemy II Philadelphus agreed to a peace treaty by an arranged marriage. The marriage was between Ptolemy II’s teenage daughter Bernice and Antiochus II. To ratify this treaty, Antiochus II divorced his wife Laodice to marry Bernice. After four years, Ptolemy II died. Then, Antiochus II divorced Bernice and remarried Laodice, who in revenge poisoned Antiochus II (nor will he retain his power), and asked her son to murder Bernice and those who came with her from Egypt (she won't remain in power). With the deaths of the Ptolemy II, Antiochus II, Bernice and her son, the treaty became invalid.
One of her family line will replace him. He'll come against the army and enter the fortress of the northern king, conquering them and becoming victorious. He'll also take their gods, their molten images, and their valuable vessels of silver and gold into Egypt as hostages. He'll avoid the northern king for a number of years. Then he'll come against the realm of the southern king and then return to his own territory (V 7-9): Bernice’s brother, Ptolemy III Eugeretes (one of her family line) who became the new pharaoh of Egypt decides to avenge his sister’s death. He invaded Seleucid territory and murdered Laodice. He captured Syria for Egypt and took away with him back to Egypt so much wealth and the Egyptian gods which had been taken away by Cambyses the Persian. For the great return of their gods, the Egyptians called him Eugeretes (the benefactor). Some years later, in response to the disgraceful defeat by Ptolemy III Eugeretes, Seleucus II Callinicus on regaining control of Syria, attempted to enter Egypt, but was unsuccessful. He died in 227 B.C.
His sons will prepare for war, assembling an army of considerable force. One of them will come on forcefully, overflowing, passing through, and waging war up to his own fortress (V10): Seleucus II Callinicus had two sons named Seleucus III Ceraunus and Antiochus III the Great. Seleucus III Ceraunus, the first son, ruled as king for only four years and died in battle in Asia Minor. Antiochus III, the second son, gathered a great army and matched against Egypt. Egyptian control had extended up to the Seleucid Empire including all of Palestine. He could recapture the fortress at Raphia in 219 B.C. During 212-205 B.C. Antiochus III greatly expanded his empire into the Caspian Sea and to the border of India. That is the reason he was called Antiochus the Great.
The southern king will fly into a rage and march out to fight the northern king. He'll gather a large army, but that army will be handed over to him. When that army has been defeated, he'll become overconfident and slaughter many thousands, but he won't succeed. The northern king will return and raise a greater army than before. After a few years he'll advance with a great force and with a vast amount of armaments (V 11-13): Ptolemy IV Philopator met Antiochus III the Great at the battle of Raphia in 217BC. Antiochus III had a great army but the small army of Ptolemy IV defeated him. After Ptolemy IV’s victory at Raphia (Gaza), he quickly hurried home without settling some administrative matters. The Egyptian troops rebelled against his rule in Egypt. They succeeded to achieve total independence in the Southern part of Egypt. After the death of Ptolemy IV in 204BC, Antiochus III gathered his army and attacked the kingdom of the South. Antiochus III regained his previously held territories.
During those years, many will rebel against the southern king. The more violent ones among your people will rebel in order to fulfill this vision, but they will fail (V 14): When the thirty-five-year-old Ptolemy IV Philopator and his wife died and their four-year-old son, Ptolemy V Epiphanes, was the new king, Antiochus III made attempts to claim the throne of Egypt. He joined force with Philip V of Macedonia, and together they brought their armies against Egypt. Some Jews, who did not like the Ptolemy rule, had attempted to help Antiochus III defeat the Egyptians, but they were defeated.
Then the northern king will come, erect a siege ramp, and capture a fortified city. The southern forces won't prevail—not even with their best troops—and they'll have no strength to take a stand (V 15): After the battle at Panias, the Egyptian commander Scopas led his army to Sidon but he was defeated. There, Antiochus III used siege works to capture the city.
However, the one who invades him will do whatever he wants to do. No one will oppose him. He'll establish himself in the Beautiful Land, wielding devastating power. He'll decide to come with the full power of his kingdom, bringing with him an alliance that he'll implement. He'll give him a daughter in marriage to overthrow it, but it won't succeed or work out for him (V 16-17): Judea came under the control of the king of the North. The Jews in Jerusalem welcomed Antiochus III and they were glad to be free of the Egyptians. The Seleucid Empire kept control of Palestine until the Romans came in 146 B.C. Antiochus III made a secret peace treaty with Ptolemy V Epiphanes in 197 B.C. by giving his daughter’s hand in marriage to Ptolemy V. The peace treaty gave some of Egypt’s territories to Antiochus III. His wife was Cleopatra I of Syria. Cleopatra means the daughter of women. She was not the famous Cleopatra who was the wife of Mark Anthony and queen of Egypt. Antiochus III had hoped that his daughter would remain loyal to him, but history records that she did not. She was loyal to her husband and to Egypt (but it won't succeed or work out for him). He hoped to have control of Egypt to be stronger to wage war on Rome but his plans failed.
Then he'll turn his attention to the coastal lands and will capture many. But a commander will put an end to his insolence, repaying him for his scorn (V 18): Failing to take over Egypt, Antiochus III pushed forward to Rome. He captured several Greek islands (coastal lands). Hannibal from Carthage joined him and together they entered Greece. The Romans had warned him to stay out of Greece, but he ignored the warning. In 191 B.C., the Roman commander Lucius Cornelius Scipio defeated him (But a commander will put an end to his insolence). As settlement, Rome demanded payment for the expense of defeating him and for security, his grandson; Demetrius I Soter was taken to Rome as hostage.
He'll turn his attention toward the fortresses in his own territory, but he'll stumble and fall, and won't endure (V 19): After the Romans defeated Antiochus III, he focused on strengthening the boundaries of his own territories to prevent any invasion. Unable to pay the expenses, Antiochus III fled to Elymias. He hoped to find safety in his country but he was killed by one of his countrymen. History records that he was murdered in a Baal temple in Suasa in 187 B.C. He died trying to steal money he owed Rome. Antiochus III who was called the Great died shamefully.
His successor will send out a tax collector for royal splendor, but in a short period of time he'll be shattered, though neither in anger nor in battle (V 20): Antiochus III’s son, Seleucus IV Philopator, raised 1000 talents from taxes each year to redeem their debt to Rome. Notwithstanding, he was very greedy and covetous. He used to send Heliodorus to raid the Jerusalem temple for treasures (2 Maccabees 3.7; 9.23) He died after a very short time of reign. Heliodorus (his official) and Antiochus IV Epiphanes were the suspects to his murder.
In his place there will arise a despicable person, upon whom no royal authority has been conferred, but he'll invade in a time of tranquility, taking over the kingdom through deception (V 21): After the death of Seleucus IV Philopator, his first son, young Demetrius, the rightful heir to the throne was not available, being held in Rome as hostage. The younger son of Seleucus IV, Antiochus (another Antiochus), claimed the throne but was murdered. All these murders were suspected to have been caused by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Antiochus IV Epiphanes made alliances with the king of Pergamos and others in the area as well as Rome. Antiochus IV Epiphanes was not the rightful heir to the throne. Rome helped Antiochus take the throne in Antioch and become the new king over the Seleucid Empire. In his old age, Antiochus had himself represented on his coins with the features of Zeus Olympios. He saw himself as the physical manifestation of Zeus.
Overwhelming forces will be carried away before him, along with the Commander-in-Chief of the covenant (V 22): Antiochus IV could defeat all the rival claimants to the throne and subdue the whole empire. Even the commander-in-chief of the covenant (prince of the covenant) came under his control. The prince of the covenant is the high priest. The high priest was highly regarded by the Jewish people. The High Priest in the above verse is Onias III. His Hellenized brother Joshua (called Jason) entered agreement with the Antiochus IV Epiphanes. He promised to pay three hundred and sixty talents of silver to Antiochus IV in exchange for the high priesthood. Antiochus IV sacked Onias III and replaced him with Jason. For the first time in Israel’s history, a man controlled the priesthood.
From the time that an alliance is made with him, he'll act deceitfully, and he will go up and take power with only a small group of nations (V 23): After entering an agreement with Jason, he continued to act deceitfully. Jason paid an extra hundred and fifty talents if the king will empower him to set up a gymnasium in Jerusalem. Jason later set up a gymnasium at the very feet of the citadel, and introduced new usages contrary to the law. As high Priest, he led all the rest of the priests and the young men away from the ordinance of God (2 Maccabees 4.9-15). Jason sent Menelaus to Antiochus IV Epiphanes with his tribute money in adherence to their agreement. Menelaus then added three hundred talents of silver to Jason’s tribute money and gave to the king to secure the high priesthood for himself. He also promised to pay a higher tribute to the king. Antiochus accepted his offer and disposed Jason and Menelaus was put in his stead (2 Maccabees 4.23-29). Jason took refuge in Amanitas.
Antiochus IV Epiphanes pretended to be a protector of his nephew, the 14-year-old Ptolemy VI Philometor (his mother, Cleopatra I, was Antiochus IV’s sister). In his pretense, Antiochus IV entered an agreement with Ptolemy VI Philometor to assist him in his reign over Egypt. But he moved through Syria and Judea into Egypt with a small army and seized Egypt for himself.
He'll invade the most prosperous areas of the province during a time of tranquility, accomplishing what neither his predecessors nor his ancestors ever could. He'll distribute war spoils, booty, and wealth to them, and he'll plot the overthrow of fortresses, though only for a time (V 24): He gained control of Egypt by winning the loyalty of the people. He distributed his spoils of war with the citizens. History even records that he threw money to the citizens on the streets. Through his cunning and deceitful character, he could penetrate the strongholds of Egypt.
He'll encourage himself against the southern king by raising a large army. As a result, the southern king will mobilize for war with a large and powerful army, but he won't succeed because they will devise elaborate schemes against him. His own security detail will undermine him, his army will be swept away, and many will fall and be killed in battle. (V 25-26): Through his treachery, he could raise a mighty army to fight his nephew, Ptolemy VI. His nephew was not strong enough to fight him. After taking control of Pelusium and Memphis, Antiochus IV wanted to claim Alexandria. The people of Alexandria had rejected Ptolemy VI and put his younger brother as king. Instead of reconciling the two conflicting brothers, Antiochus IV sought to destroy any existing relationship between them. Ptolemy VI’s officials were not faithful to him. Antiochus had corrupted all of them with bribes. The governor of Cyrus, Ptolemy Macron deserted Ptolemy VI and had an alliance with Antiochus IV Epiphanes who made him governor of Coele Syria and Phoenicia.
Now as for the two kings, their intentions will be evil, and they'll promote deception at their dinner table, but none of this will succeed, because the end won't have come yet (V 27): Ptolemy VI and Antiochus IV had several meetings together about official matters. Ptolemy VI was certain that his uncle’s interest was genuine, not knowing the contrary.
Then he'll return to his homeland with great wealth, will focus his attention against the holy covenant, and will take action as he returns to his land (V 28): A rumor reached the Jews that Antiochus IV had died. Jason gathered an army and made war on the Jewish people. Menelaus took refuge in the citadel. Jason killed many of his fellow Jews but he could not still assume any position of authority. When Antiochus IV heard of this, he thought Jerusalem was in revolt. He came back from Egypt. Storming on the city, he asked his soldiers to butcher everyone they encountered. It was a massacre of young and old, a slaughter of women and children, a butchery of young girls and infant. Within three days, about eighty thousand were killed. He entered the temple in Jerusalem and made away with eighteen hundred talents and hurried back to his homeland, Antioch. But he left officials behind to plague the nation.
At the scheduled time he'll return, moving southward, but the end result won't be as before because ships will come against him from the Mediterranean islands. Disheartened, he'll return, incited to vehemence against the holy covenant, and he'll take action. As he returns, he'll show deference to those who abandon the holy covenant (V 29-30): About two years later in 168 B.C, Antiochus IV learned that Ptolemy VI Philometor and Ptolemy VII Eugeretes had reconciled and regained control of Egypt. They entered an alliance against him. Antiochus IV planned to attack Egypt a second time. But this time around, he was not successful as the first time. On his way into Egypt, a Roman Ambassador, Popilius Laenas, surprised him. Antiochus IV did not know that Rome had agreed to help Egypt. The Romans had arrived in ships. Antiochus came down to Egypt, and Popilius Laenas told him that he could not enter Egypt. At first Antiochus refused to go back home, so Laenas drew a circle about him and told him that he had to respond before he stepped out of the circle. Historians say that after a few moments of humiliating silence, Antiochus IV agreed and left Egypt in a rage. On his way home, he released his rage on the Jews.
Armed forces will arise from his midst, and they'll desecrate the fortified Sanctuary, abolish the daily sacrifice, and establish the destructive desecration (V 31): He abolish the Jewish sacrifices. He dedicated the temple in Jerusalem to Olympian Zeus; the temple on Mount Gerizim to Zeus, the patron of strangers. A pig (forbidden by the law) was sacrificed on the altar 25 December 168BC. (Daniel 8.9-14,23; Daniel 9.27; 11.30-31; 12.11;1 Maccabees 2.54-61; 2 Maccabees 6.1-6)
Through flattery he'll corrupt those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but people who know their God will be strong and take action (V 32): The Hellenized Jews received his support to abolish Jewish customs and laws. Antiochus IV passed a decree that his people should unite as one by each giving up his own customs. He also issued orders that everyone was to worship the Greek gods. Antiochus IV ordered the Jewish Scriptures (the Torah) to be destroyed. He established the death penalty for anyone who practiced circumcision, or who observed the Sabbath or any of the Jewish religious feasts and sacrifices. Through flattery, many people forsook the law for his own religion. Some Jews remain faithful to the Law and rejected Antiochus’ religion. Mattathias (Judas Maccabaeus’ father), Judas Maccabaeus and his companions made their way secretly among the villages and gathered as many faithful followers of the Jewish law as they could find. Then, they went into revolt and started a war against Antiochus IV and his followers. Judas Maccabaeus defeated the large army of Antiochus IV’s general Apollonius. Next, he defeated Seron (commander of Syrian army) and his army. Antiochus IV was greatly angered by the exploits of Judas and his men. Because of Judas victory, he could recapture the Temple in Jerusalem.
Insightful people will impart understanding to many, though they'll fall by sword, by fire, by captivity, and as war booty for a while (V 33): The faithful Jews encouraged one another to endure. Those who understood the times, enlightened others. Many of them were killed. Antiochus IV tore down the city walls and the Torah. He slaughtered many Jews. Some of them were burnt alive (e.g. the martyrdom of the seven brothers). Others were taken into slavery while some were slain to death.
When they fall, they'll be given some relief, but many will join them by pretending to be sympathetic to their cause. Some of the insightful will fall so they may be refined, purged, and purified until the time of the end, since it will surely come about (V 34-35): Not all of Judas’ followers were faithful. He and his followers did not receive much help from their fellow Jews. Judas Maccabaeus had taken control of Judea from the Seleucids but the Jews in the other Seleucid territories continued to face persecution and many were killed until the time of the end (the rise of Rome and Augustus Caesar).
The reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes ended the 70 weeks of years of Daniel’s prophecy. However, the beast (Seleucid Greece) continued to devour and crush the saints in the other Seleucid territories until the arrival of Augustus Caesar of Rome at the time of the end.
When Mattathias died, his son, Judas Maccabaeus took over the rebellion and defeated Antiochus IV. The Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid occurred in 164BC. This revolt marked the end of the Seleucids control over Judea. The family of Mattathias ruled Israel. The rule of the Hasmoneans (named after Mattathias’ father, Asmoneus) lasted from 168BC until 37BC. The Romans overthrew the Seleucid and Ptolemy dynasty in 64BC and 31BC respectively. Israel came back under the rule of Israelite people (the Hasmoneans) (Daniel 7:25-27). The Maccabean dynasty survived for 103 years.
In 63BC, when there was a Hasmoneans civil war (between Aristobolus II and Hyrcanus II), Pompey (working for Rome) intervened but took the crown for Rome, thereby making Jerusalem a Roman colony. With the death of Pompey (48BC) and Julius Caesar (44BC), the Hasmoneans backed by the Parthian Empire attempted to regain power. But the Romans under Mark Anthony and Octavian Augustus in 37BC crushed the rebellion.
Julius Caesar and Pompey were Roman Army Generals. Pompey had conquered Asia Minor, Syria, and Judea while Julius Caesar had conquered the whole of Gaul. They started off as friends but ended up as deadly enemies. A civil war eventually broke between Pompey and Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar won and seized power. He formed the first triumvirate (one man dictatorship). He became a dictator of the Roman people and the senate lost control. He died naming his nephew, Octavian as his heir. When Octavian had gained power over Rome, he took the name Augustus Caesar. The next emperors of the Roman Empire took the title, Caesar.
The king will do as he pleases. He'll exalt and magnify himself above every god, speaking amazing things against the God of gods. He'll succeed until the indignation is completed, because what has been determined must be carried out. He'll recognize neither the gods of his ancestors nor those desired by women—he won't recognize any god, because he'll exalt himself above everything. He'll glorify the god of fortresses, a god whom his ancestors never knew, honoring him with gold, silver, valuable jewels, and treasures. He'll take action against the strongest fortresses. With the help of a foreign god, he'll recognize those who honor him, making them rule over many, and he'll parcel out the land for a profit (V 36-39):
The above verses describe a certain king that will rise after the reign of Hasmoneans. Verse 36 describes him as the “king” and not as “the king of the North or “the King of the South”. Verses 21-32 describe the activities and fall of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Verses 33-35 describe the rebellion and reign of the Hasmoneans. Verses 36-39 describe the activities of “the king” after the rule of the Hasmoneans.
Israel was governed as a:
--Seleucid vassal (140-119)
--Kingdom under the Hasmoneans (110BC-63BC, 40BC-37BC)
--Client state of the Roman Republic (63-40BC, 37BC-4BC)
The next king that ruled the whole of Israel after the Hasmoneans was Herod the Great. He was appointed king of Judea by Octavian and Mark Anthony. The installation of Herod the Great (part Idumean / Jewish) as king over Israel in 37BC made Israel a Roman client state and sealed the end of the Hasmoneans dynasty.
After the reign of the Hasmoneans, Herod the Great ruled over the entire Israel. After his rule, Israel was partition to his four sons who ruled together with the Roman governors.
The king will do as he pleases. He'll exalt and magnify himself above every god, speaking amazing things against the God of gods. He'll succeed until the indignation is completed, because what has been determined must be carried out: Herod the Great just as Alexander the Great and Antiochus IV succeeded in achieving their goals. He was victorious over Antigonus (the Hasmonean). He forcefully rose to power. He wiped out almost the entire Hasmonean line to seal his dynasty and murdered those closest to him; his wife and three sons whom he suspected were conspiring to take his throne. He killed people as he pleased. In his desire to kill “the king of the Jews”, he slew all baby boys under the age of two in the whole of Israel around the time of th