Daniel 11:36

“And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.”

Context:To understand the verse better, let’s look at the context. The book of Daniel is a prophetic book written by the prophet Daniel during the Babylonian exile. In chapter 11, Daniel receives a vision that provides a detailed prophecy about various rulers and empires, leading up to the end times.

The king described:In this verse, the king being referred to is a powerful and arrogant ruler who exalts himself above every god and speaks against the God of gods. The specific identity of this king is a matter of interpretation and debate among scholars. Some suggest that it refers to a historical figure, such as Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who persecuted the Jews during the intertestamental period. Others believe it has an ultimate fulfilment in an end-time figure, such as the Antichrist.

Exalting and magnifying himself:The verse emphasizes that this king exalts and magnifies himself above every god. This indicates his pride and arrogance, as he considers himself superior to any divine authority.

Speaking against the God of gods:The verse further describes how the king speaks marvellous things against the God of gods. This implies blasphemy and defiance against the one true God.

Prospering till the indignation is accomplished:The verse states that the king will prosper until the indignation is accomplished. This suggests that he will experience success and achieve his goals for a limited time, but his reign will eventually come to an end.

Fulfilment of God’s determined plan:The verse concludes by stating that what is determined will be done. This implies that God has a predetermined plan and that the actions of this king, though seemingly successful, are ultimately subject to God’s sovereign control.

Overall, Daniel 11:36 portrays a powerful ruler who exalts himself above every god, speaks against the God of gods, and prospers for a time until God’s determined plan is fulfilled. The verse serves as a reminder that, despite the apparent success and power of earthly rulers, God remains ultimately in control and will bring His plans to pass.