“His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor. In a few years, however, he will be destroyed, yet not in anger or in battle. Daniel 11:20 (NIV).
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/daniel-11-20.html says that the successor mentioned here is Seleucus Philopator, who succeeded his father, Antiochus the Great, as the emperor of the Selucid Empire. He imposed heavy taxes on his people, many of whom were Jewish exiles. It was severe enough that one of those exiles murdered him (as predicted by the angel); this caused great persecution of the Jews for many years to come.
Or, as http://www.herealittletherealittle.net/index.cfm?page_name=Daniel11 states it, “Antiochus III’s eldest son, Seleucus IV Philopater, took over after his father’s death. Due to the heavy debt burden imposed by Rome, he was forced to seek an ambitious taxation policy on his shrunken empire. This included heavy taxation on the people of Israel. In fact, Seleucus IV even sent his treasurer, Heliodorus, to the Temple in Jerusalem to extract money. The Roman senate decided to trade hostages; therefore, they ordered Seleucus IV to send his son Demetrius, the heir to the throne, to Rome. In return, the Romans released Seleucus IV’s younger brother, Antiochus IV. When released, Antiochus IV went to Athens.In 175 BCE, after Demetrius had been sent away to Rome, Seleucus IV was poisoned by his minister Heliodorus. Some historians think that Heliodorus desired the throne for himself, while others believe that Antiochus IV was behind the murder. Seleucus’ young son, (another Antiochus – age 5) was put on the throne in his place. However, Heliodorus was the actual power behind the throne.”
What does this mean for us? It’s a reminder of a few things.
One, the prophecy came true. All this is independently, historically verified. It isn’t just Biblical prophecy: it’s secular human history, something that can’t be tarnished by even the most strident naysayers. God doesn’t need that to be true, but some of we fallen people do.
Another thing is that human intrigue is nothing new. It goes back to Cain.
Last, the world of the Bible was brutal. Every age of humanity has known savagery, with autocratic government using the latest weapons and schemes to control and destroy. Yet the years of empire and conquest in the centuries immediately preceding Christ were particularly brutal, with one empire subjugating another through conquest and generational slaughter. This was coupled with new weapons and advancing tactics that made the government’s targets particularly susceptible and easily controlled.
This makes it all the more amazing that the Almighty not only bequeathed prophecies to sinful and hard peoples, but that they could all come true in one and only person, Jesus Christ. Next time you read this history, remember that all of it points and leads to Him.
For further reading: Isaiah 60:17, Daniel 11:20
Lord, thank You for the history You give to us through Your holy word.
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