John Calvin Commentary Daniel 11:16

"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, and in his hand shall be destruction." — Daniel 11:16 (ASV)

The angel proceeds with the same discourse. He says that Antiochus the Great would accomplish his wishes and would spread the terror of his arms in every direction, so that no one would dare to oppose him. He shall do therefore according to his will, he says, and none shall stand before his face; and he shall stand in the desirable land; meaning, he will bring his victorious army into Judea, and there shall be a great consumption under his hand, or Judea will be consumed and ruined under his hand.

We originally stated that the angel’s mission did not authorize him to narrate these events in the way military exploits are usually narrated by historians. Enough is revealed to lead the faithful to acknowledge God’s continual regard for their safety. Experience also assures us that every occurrence is divinely foreseen, and thus they would acknowledge how everything tended to promote their welfare.

God’s predictions of future events were never in vain, and the angel now declares the future coming of Antiochus to the desirable land. We have previously given the reason for this epithet being applied to Judea—not because of any natural excellence it possessed over other lands, but because God had chosen it for Himself as His seat and dwelling-place.

The excellence of this land depended entirely on the unmerited goodness of God. It might seem inconsistent to grant such freedom to an ungodly tyrant and robber, allowing him to overrun Judea, which God had marked out with special honor by adopting it as His dwelling-place and calling it His residence (Psalms 132:14).

But we know that the Church, while on its pilgrimage in this world, is not free from many afflictions; for it is beneficial for the sons of God to be humbled under the cross, lest they should grow restless in the world, give themselves up to luxuries, and become spiritually asleep, indulging the desires of the flesh.

The angel, indeed, omits the reason why God allowed Antiochus to oppress the sacred land so cruelly; but the faithful had been taught by the Law and the Prophets that the Church was subject to various tribulations. It is sufficient, then, simply to relate the event: and the pleasant land shall be consumed under his hand, or there will be a consumption.

It matters very little which way we read it, as far as the meaning is concerned. The angel here encourages Daniel and all others to exercise patience, lest they faint under this divine scourge. For God permitted Antiochus to wander about like a robber and to exercise severe tyranny and cruelty against the Jews.

I do not need to discuss these events in greater detail, as they are found in the Books of the Maccabees. I will only touch briefly on one point: Antiochus did not harass the Jews on his own initiative by leading his army into their country, but he was incited by ungodly priests.

So great was their treachery and barbarity that they willingly betrayed God’s Temple and exposed their nation to the most distressing calamities. That was a severe trial; therefore, God looked after the interests of His own worshippers by predicting events that might weaken their confidence and cause them to fall into despair.