Daniel 10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar).

This verse give the starting point of the prediction: it begins with the reign of Cyrus the Great of Persia - see: click here

The prophecy itself begins in verse 2 of Daniel 11...

The Persian kings following Cyrus were: Cambyses II click here Smerdis click here Darius I the Great click here Xerxes I click here The 4th king mentioned in the prophecy is Xerxes - it's the same Xerxes as in the movie "300": click here

The background of this conflict started with Darius (Xerxes' father) Xerxes' father Darius had plans to conquer Greece but died before he could start his campaign. Xerxes I became emperor in 486BC and he raised taxes for the campaign to carry out his father's plans. He gathered a huge army and attacked Greece in 483 BC. His invasion made Sparta famous in the Battle of Thermopylae click here - made popular by the movie 300 click here Here is a picture of the mountain pass where 300 Spartan held the Persian Army at bay for a couple of days: Xerxes' invasion was not successful and he retreated in 466 BC.

This "mighty king" is not from Persia... but from Greece. He is in fact Alexander the Great

After the death of Alexander the Great, his empire is carved up by his generals. After the dust settled, 4 empires emerged from Alexander's original empire: Kingdom of Ptolemy I Soter click here - which later became the Sekeucid Empire. Kingdom of Cassander click here Kingdom of Lysimachus click here Kingdom of Seleucus I Nicator click here - which later became the Sekeucid Empire.

The "King of the South" is general Ptolemy of Alexander the Great. Ptolemy will become "Ptolemy I Soter" and he will establish the Ptolemian (Egyptian) Empire (south of Israel) that will last until 30 BC - see click here Interesting fact: the last Ptolemeic ruler is Cleopatra VII (See: click here) - the same one that seduced the Romans Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony

This "one of his commanders" was Seleucus I. Seleucus I's career is somewhat "diverse". When the Macedonian empire was divided in 323 BC (the "Partition of Babylon"), Seleucus was given the office of chiliarch, which attached him closely to the regent Perdiccas. At the second partition, at Triparadisus (321 BC), Seleucus was given the government of the Babylonian satrapy. In 316 BC, when Antigonus had made himself master of the eastern provinces, Seleucus felt himself threatened and fled to Egypt. In Egypt, he befriended Ptolemy. In the war which followed between Antigonus and the other Macedonian chiefs, Seleucus actively cooperated with Ptolemy and commanded Egyptian squadrons in the Aegean Sea. The victory won by Ptolemy at the battle of Gaza in 312 BC opened the way for Seleucus to return to the east. He established his own (Syrian) empire there which became the "Seleucid Empire". click here

You have to get used to the fact that Biblical prophecy can skip many years in one single verse... In this verse, we have been alerted by "after some year" in the verse. Often, such a warning is not even present ! This "after some year" is quite some time... it is the next generation of kings.... The "they" are in fact: Seleucus II (son of Seleucus I) and Ptolemy II (son of Ptolemy I). Ptolemy II and Seleucus II wanted to solidify their kingdom. In those days, a king would marry his daughter to another king to unite their kingdoms. Ptolemy II sent his daughter Berenice to marry Seleucus II - see: click here This scheme will back fire... At the time, Seleucus II is already married to Laodice I - see: click here. Laodice I will remember this insult and will kill Berenice and Seleucus II in a later plot. Laodice I will get her chance after Ptolemy II's death in 246 BC. Antiochus II took Laodice back but he died immediately thereafter (it was suspected that Laodice I poisoned her husband). Then Laodice had Berenice and her son (she born a son with Antiochus II) murdered. Then Laodice made his son Seleucus II the new emperor ( click here) The murder of Berenice started the Third Syrian War (also known as the Laodicean War) between the the newly crowned Seleucus II (= Laodice eldest son) and Ptolemy III of Egypt (= Berenice's brother).

Dan 11:8 He (= Ptolemy III) will also seize their (= Seleucus II, son of Laodice) gods, their metal images and their valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them off to Egypt. For some years he (= Ptolemy III) will leave the king of the North (= Seleucus II, son of Laodice) alone.

I have "filled in" the persons in the above verses - to make things easier to read and explain... Berenice and Laodice fought over the throne of Antiochus II (who may have been poisoned by Laodice) after his death. Laodice claimed that Antiochus had named her son heir while on his deathbed, but Berenice argued that her newly born son was the legitimate heir. Laodice would have Berenice killed. But before Berenice died, she had asked her brother Ptolemy III ( click here) to come to Antioch and help place her son on the throne. When Ptolemy III did arrive, Berenice and her child had been killed. To avenge his sister's death, Ptolemy III ( click here) declared war on Laodice's newly crowned son, Seleucus II, in 246 BC, and campaigned with great success. He won major victories over Seleucus in Syria and Anatolia, briefly occupied Antioch and, as a recent cuneiform discovery proves, even reached Babylon. References: 3rd Syrian war click here Ptolemy III: click here

Seleucus II (Callinicus) regrouped and lauched an all out attack in 240 BC. But he failed and had to make peace with Ptolemy III In exchange for the peace treaty in 240 BC, Ptolemy III was awarded new territories on the northern coast of Syria, including Seleucia Pieria, the port of Antioch. The Ptolemaic kingdom was at the height of its power. Peace between these 2 empire prevailed from 240 to 221 (the year that Ptolemy III died..) When Ptolemy III died in 221 BC, his successor was Ptolemy IV Ptolemy IV was a very evil ruler He would have his Mother, his Brother, his Uncle, and probably his Sister (and wife) killed... In the mean time, in the Northern (Seleucid) kingdom, Antiochus II passed away. Antiochus II has 2 sons: Seleucus III Soter and Antiochus III the Great (Magnus)

The "His" is Antiochus II The sons of the Antiochus II ( click here) are: Seleucus III Soter - who was a weak king click here Antiochus III the Great (Magnus) - who was a powerful king click here Seleucus III Soter was the eldest son of Seleucus II Callinicus but he was a weak king. After a brief reign of three years (225 BC-223 BC), Seleucus III was assassinated in Asia Minor by members of his army while on campaign against Attalus I of Pergamon. Seleucus III was succeded by his brother Antiochus III the Great (Magnus) - this guy will become very powerful... Recall that at this time, the ruler in Egypt is Ptolemy IV ( click here) Upon the death of Ptolemy III (in 221 BC), his wife Berenice II becomes joint heir with her son, Ptolemy IV. But... the son Ptolemy IV, had his mother murdered.... Ptolemy IV, would also kill his brother, uncle and maybe his sister before his rule ends... Anyway, the Ptolemiac Empire was in a bad shape, and the Antiochus III (after he succeeded his brother) sees a chance to attack a weakened Ptolemy Empire. Upon taking the Seleucid throne in 223 BC, Antiochus III (241 BC) set himself the task of restoring the lost imperial possessions. By 221 BC, he had re-established Seleucid control over the eastern provinces and taken Anatolia back from his rebellious uncle Achaeus. The ambitious king turned his eyes toward Syria and Egypt. Antiochus sought to take advantage of the chaotic situation in Egypt. After an invasion in 221 BC failed to launch, Antiochus III finally began the Fourth Syrian War in 219 --- click here Antiochus III recaptured Seleucia Pieria as well as cities in Israel, amongst them Tyre. Rather than promptly invading Egypt, Antiochus III waited in Israel for over a year, consolidating his new territories and listening to diplomatic proposals from the Ptolemaic kingdom.

Dan 11:11 "Then the king of the South (Ptolemy IV) will march out in a rage and fight against the king of the North (Antiochus III), who will raise a large army, but it (Antiochus III) will be defeated.

To counter Antiochus III's attack, Ptolemy's minister Sosibius recruited and trained an army. He recruited not only from the local Greek population, as Hellenistic armies generally were, but also from the native Egyptians, enrolling at least thirty thousand natives as phalangites. This novel choice paid off - Antiochus III was defeated - but it would eventually have dire consequences for Ptolemaic stability because the Egyptians will revolt. In the summer of 217, Ptolemy IV engaged and defeated the long-delayed Antiochus III in the Battle of Raphia -- ( click here ) -- the largest battle since the Battle of Ipsus.

Dan 11:12 When the army is carried off, the king of the South (Ptolemy IV) will be filled with pride and will slaughter many thousands (Jews !), yet he (Ptolemy IV) will not remain triumphant.

Although Ptolemy IV won the battle, Ptolemy IV's forces had been weakened by the war and Ptolemy IV declined to advance further into Antiochus III's empire, even to retake Seleucia Pieria. After his initial victory over Antiochus III, he suddenly stops pursuing Syrians, and vents his new-found strength on Israel. At one point in this campaign , he actually tries to force his way into the Holy of Holies. One record shows that before he can do this he is stricken and carried off nearly dead. A result of Ptolemy IV's slaughtering of the Jews is that in subsequent conflicts between the North and the South, the Jewish people will side with the Northern empire... The stage is set for the 5th Syrian War - in this war, the Jewish people will fight on the Syrian side Historical side note: The Ptolemaic kingdom would continue to weaken over the following years, suffering from economic problems and rebellion. Nationalist sentiment had developed among the native Egyptians who had fought at Raphia. Confident and well-trained, they broke from Ptolemy in what is known as the Egyptian Revolt, establishing their own kingdom in Upper Egypt - which the Ptolemies finally reconquered around 185 BC. After the death of Ptolemy IV, Antiochus III concluded a secret treaty with Philip V, ruler of the Hellenistic kingdom of Macedonia, in which the two plotted the division of the Ptolemaic empire - this will become the 5th Syrian War... Their plans will however be disrupted by the Romans - whose might have been increasing in that region.

Dan 11:13 For the king of the North (Antiochus III) will muster another army, larger than the first; and after several years, he (Antiochus III) will advance with a huge army fully equipped.

This is the 5th Syrian War - click here Ptolemy IV died in 204 BC. His son Ptolemy V was still very young at the time and there was some in fighting in Egypt for power. Antiochus III and Philip V, ruler of the Hellenistic kingdom of Macedonia have plotted to conquer and divide the Ptolemaic empire among themselves. Seeking to take advantage of this turmoil, Antiochus III and Philip V attack Egypt.

Dan 11:14 "In those times many (= Jews) will rise against the king of the South (=Ptolemy V). The violent men among your own people will rebel in fulfillment of the vision, but without success.

Some Jews were fighting along side of Antiochus III against Ptolemy V

Dan 11:15 Then the king of the North (Antiochus III) will come and build up siege ramps and will capture a fortified city (probably Sidon). The forces of the South (Scopas) will be powerless to resist; even their best troops will not have the strength to stand.

Antiochus III invaded Coele Syria, defeated the Ptolemaic general Scopas at Panion near the source of the Jordan River in the year 200, gained control of Palestine, and granted special rights to the Jewish temple state. Reference from Britannica: click here Scopas had retreated to Sidon which was considered by some the strongest fortress in the world at that time.

Dan 11:16 The invader (Antiochus III) will do as he pleases; no one will be able to stand against him. He (Antiochus III) will establish himself in the Beautiful Land (=Israel) and will have the power to destroy it.

Antiochus III took control on the land of the Jews (Palestine). But Antiochus III granted special rights to the Jewish temple state.

Dan 11:17 He (Anthiochus III) will determine to come with the might of his entire kingdom and will make an alliance with the king of the South (Ptolemy V). And he (Antiochus III) will give him (Ptolemy V - he is still a kid !) a daughter (=Cleopatra I) in marriage in order to overthrow the kingdom, but his plans will not succeed or help him.

When peace was concluded in 195 BC (between Antiochus III and Ptolemy V), Antiochus III came permanently into possession of southern Syria (which included the land of the Jewish people) which had been fought over for 100 years by the Ptolemies and Seleucidsand of the Egyptian territories in Asia Minor. Antiochus III also gave his daughter Cleopatra in marriage to Ptolemy V - he was trying to make sure that Egypt will stay in his control. (At that time Ptolemy V was about 16 years and Cleopatra I about 10 years old - click here) Egypt practically became a Seleucid protectorate. Reference: click here Antiochus III's plan to marry his daughter Cleopatra to Ptolemy V will not keep Egypt in Syrian control for long... In the mean time, Rome has become quite powerful and began dealing with Egypt (Egypt is the bread basket of the Middle East). When the Romans win a victory over her father Antiochus III at Thermopylae, Cleopatra joins her husband in congratulating the Roman Senate. Just before his death Ptolemy V had planned to make war against the Seleucid kingdom but when his widow Cleopatra I started to rule she immediately ended the war preparations directed against her brother Seleucus IV (Philopator). War will erupt between these 2 empires after Cleopatra I died in April or May 176 BC.

Dan 11:18 Then he (Antiochus III) will turn his attention to the coastlands (Greek Islands) and will take many of them, but a commander (Scipio) will put an end to his insolence and will turn his insolence back upon him.

Antiochus III will get in trouble with the Romans... In his insatiable expansionist drive, Antiochus III occupied parts of the kingdom of Pergamum in 198 and in 197 Greek cities in Asia Minor. In 196 bc he crossed the Hellespont into Thrace, where he claimed sovereignty over territory that had been won by Seleucus I in the year 281 bc. A war of harassment and diplomacy with Rome ensued. In a war with the Romans in 190 BC, Antiochus III was decisively defeated in the Battle of Magnesia near Mt. Sipylus, where he fought with a heterogeneous army of 70,000 men against an army of 30,000 Romans and their allies. The Roman commander that defeated Antiochus III was Scipio (Africanus) - this Scipio also defeated Hannibal in an African campaign (hence, his title "Africanus") - click here Although Antiochus III could have continued the war in the eastern provinces, he renounced all claim to his conquests in Europe and in Asia Minor west of the Taurus at the peace treaty of Apamea. He also was obliged to pay an indemnity of 15,000 talents over a period of 12 years, surrender his elephants and his fleet, and furnish hostages, including his son Antiochus IV.

Dan 11:19 After this, he (Antiochus III) will turn back toward the fortresses of his own country but will stumble and fall, to be seen no more.

His kingdom was now reduced to Syria, Mesopotamia, and western Iran. In 187 (3 short years after his defeat) Antiochus III was murdered in a Baal temple near Susa, where he was exacting tribute in order to obtain much needed revenue (to pay the Romans). Antiochus III has two sons: Seleucus IV (Philopator) Antiochus IV (Epiphanes) and daughter Cleopatra I (whom Antiochus III will marry to Ptolemy V) Recall that his son Antiochus IV was taken as hostage (ransom) by the Romans ! References: Britannica: click here Wikipedia: click here Livius.org: click here Jewish perspective: click here

20 "His successor (= Seleucus IV) will send out a tax collector (= Heliodorus) to maintain the royal splendor. In a few years, however, he (= Seleucus IV) will be destroyed, yet not in anger or in battle.

After his father (Antiochus III) died, Seleucus IV inherited the debt to the Romans (from the defeat of the war) Seleucus IV was compelled by these financial necessities, created in part by the heavy war-indemnity exacted by Rome, to pursue an ambitious policy. In an effort to collect money to pay the Romans, Seleucus IV sent his minister Heliodorus to Jerusalem to seize the temple treasury. On his return, Heliodorus assassinated Seleucus IV, and seized the throne for himself. Reference: click here

21 "He (Seleucus IV) will be succeeded by a contemptible person (Antiochus IV) who has not been given the honor of royalty. He (Antiochus IV) will invade the kingdom (Israel) when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue.

After Seleucus IV's death, the normal succession would be his son Demetrius - but... The true heir Demetrius, son of Seleucus,was now being retained in Rome as a hostage The kingdom was then seized by Seleucus IV's younger brother Antiochus IV Epiphanes (When Seleucus IV become the ruler, the Romans released Antiochus IV and replaced him with Demetrius) Antiochus IV avenged his brother's death and claimed the throne instead of his nephew, Demetrius, who was a 12 year old hostage in Rome. Now Antiochus IV is a very astute ruler... He use intrigue to overcome his enemies... In Judah, for example, though Antiochus IV enters with a strong force, he speaks to the Jews craftily in peaceful terms, and they trust him. Then he suddenly falls on the city and strikes it a great blow. This tactic will be used again and again. (I Maccabees 1:30) He will be the one that sacrifice a pig (an unclean animal) in the Jewish temple ! That's why the Bible call him contemptible...

Dan 11:22 Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed.

Hard to say who this prince of the covenant is... Bob Faulkner thinks it's Onias whom Anthiocus IV murders.

Dan 11:23 After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power.

These verses describes how Antiochus IV rises in power... through intrigue In 170, he sends a small army into Egypt, under Apollonius for the coronation of the new Ptolemy VI, Philometer - who was his nephew (Cleopatra I was Antiochus IV's sister) Antiochus IV thus enters Egypt peaceably, as a friend, distributing favors as he goes. He soon makes a league with Philometer (son of Ptolemy V and Cleopatra). He thinks Ptolemy will need this friendship as the Egyptian rule will be challenged by Philomete's own brother.

Dan 11:24 When the richest provinces feel secure, he will invade them and will achieve what neither his fathers nor his forefathers did. He will distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers. He will plot the overthrow of fortressesbut only for a time.

This penchant he has toward bribery is illustrated well in his dealings with Judas Maccabeus, whom we will soon encounter. The writer of I Maccabees says that he entices his army to fight by giving them a year's pay in advance. But this so exhausted his treasury that he feared that he would not have enough, as he formerly had, for...the presents which he had been used to give before with a lavish hand, beyond the kings that went before him. He did what his fathers had not done...

Dan 11:25 "With a large army he (Antiochus IV) will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South (Ptolemy VI - Philometer). The king of the South will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he will not be able to stand because of the plots devised against him.

Dan 11:26 Those who eat from the king's provisions will try to destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall in battle.

When the guardians of King Ptolemy VI of Egypt demanded the return of Coele-Syria in 170 BC, Antiochus IV launched a preemptive strike against Egypt, conquering all but Alexandria and capturing King Ptolemy. To avoid alarming Rome, Antiochus allowed Ptolemy VI to continue ruling as a Puppet-king. See: click here This is the same event as I Maccabees 1:16 When Antiochus saw that his kingdom was established, he determined to become king of the land of Egypt, that he might reign over both kingdoms. So he invaded Egypt with a strong force, with chariots and elephants and cavalry and with a large fleet. He engaged Ptolemy [VI Philometor], the king of Egypt, in battle, and Ptolemy turned and fled before him, and many were wounded and fell. And they captured the fortified cities in the land of Egypt, and he plundered the land of Egypt. See: click here One of the reasons that Ptolemy VI - Philometer was defeated was the fact that his officials was bought out by Antiochus IV - hence "the plots devised against him"

Dan 11:27 The two kings (= Antiochus IV and Ptolemy VI), with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other (= make a peace treaty), but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time.

Although Antiochus IV defeated Ptolemy VI, he left Ptolemy VI in charge over Egypt and made Ptolemy VI a puppet king of Syria to avoid the attention of Rome (Rome was buying grain from Egypt and did not like to see any disruption in its supplier...) Upon Antiochus' withdrawal, the city of Alexandria chose a new King, one of Ptolemy's brothers, also named Ptolemy (VIII Euergetes). Instead of fighting a civil war, the Ptolemy brothers agreed to rule Egypt jointly. Antiochus IV lost control over his puppet Ptolemy VI.

29 "At the appointed time he (Antiochus IV) will invade the South (Egypt) again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before.

In 168 BC Antiochus IV led a second attack on Egypt and also sent a fleet to capture Cyprus. But this time, Rome interfered with his plans....

30 Ships of the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart.

Before reaching Alexandria, Antiochus IV's path was blocked by a single, old Roman ambassador named Gaius Popillius Laenas, who delivered a message from the Roman Senate directing Antiochus to withdraw his armies from Egypt and Cyprus, or consider themselves in a state of war with the Roman Republic. Antiochus said he would discuss it with his council, whereupon the Roman envoy drew a line in the sand around him and said, "Before you cross this circle I want you to give me a reply for the Roman Senate" - implying that Rome would declare war if the King stepped out of the circle without committing to leave Egypt immediately. Weighing his options, Antiochus wisely decided to withdraw. Only then did Popillius agree to shake hands with him. Reference: click here

...Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant.

While Antiochus was busy in Egypt, a false rumor spread that he had been killed. The deposed High Priest Jason gathered a force of 1,000 soldiers and made a surprise attack on the city of Jerusalem. An official Antiochus appointed as High Priest, Menelaus, was forced to flee Jerusalem during a riot. On the King's return from Egypt in 167 BC enraged by his defeat, he attacked Jerusalem and restored Menelaus, then executed many Jews. Reference: click here

.... He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.

To consolidate his empire and strengthen his hold over the region, Antiochus decided to Hellenize the Jews by outlawing Judaism and by ordering the worship of Zeus as the supreme god. Reference: click here

Dan 11:31 "His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.

Antiochus IV banned Jewish temple services He set up a statue of Zeus in the Jewish temple (this is an idol and as such an abomination). He even sacrificed a pig (unclean animal) in the Jewish temple

Dan 11:32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.

Dan 11:33 "Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered.
Dan 11:34 When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them.
Dan 11:35 Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

Those Jews that were willing to be Hellenized are rewarded... But some Jews revolted.. This is the famous Rebellion of the Maccabees The Maccabees were a Jewish national liberation movement that fought for and won independence from Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The revolt was very bloody... The Maccabees founded the Hasmonean royal dynasty and established Jewish independence in the Hasmonean Kingdom for about one hundred years, from 164 BCE to 63 BCE. Reference: click here

The Mahdi is the Islamic Messiah that will unite the Islamic nations into a global Jihad for Allah. The Mahdi is the representative of Allah on earth As such, anything that the Mahdi says will be like spoken by Allah - god. The Mahdi will speak against the God of gods (Yehovah). The Mahdi will defeat everyone. The Mahdi is not defeated by mortal men... He is only defeated by Jesus at His second coming.

37 He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all.

The Mahdi will not show regard to any gods (except Allah - the god of war - see the next verse!) The Mahdi will not show regard to women - women are the most oppresed group in the Muslim world

Dan 11:38 Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses (= Allah); a god unknown to his fathers he will honor with gold and silver (= booty), with precious stones and costly gifts.

The Mahdi does honor a god - this god is Allah - god of Jihad In Muslim Jihad, a warrior can claim a part of the loot as his booty.

Dan 11:39 He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.

Muslims will attack countries that are more powerful than them. Just look at Iran... Their goal is Jihad - fight for Allah. It does not matter how power the other side is...

40 "At the time of the end the king of the South (= Egypt) will engage him in battle, and the king of the North (= Mahdi) 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.

The Mahdi leads the army consisting mainly of fundamental Muslims (Iran, Iraq, Syria) Since Egypt is more secular, it will probably not follow the Mahdi Daniel 7:8 prophecies that the Mahdi will uproot 3 horns that are part of the beast... So I would think that Egypt will be one of these horns that the Mahdi will uproot...

41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land (= Israel). Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand.

In his latter conquest, the Mahdi will conquer Israel It will be bloody: Zech 14:1 A day of the LORD is coming when your plunder will be divided among you. Zech 14 2 I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city.

Dan 11:42 He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will not escape.

Dan 11:43 He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Nubians in submission.

The Mahdi will subdue Egypt and other nations...

Dan 11:44 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.

My guess is that Russia (North) and China (East) will finally mobilize against the Islamic Army of the Mahdi

Dan 11:45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain.

The Mahdi will rule from Jerusalem according to Muslim end time prophecies. This is consistent with what Daniel tells us !

....Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.

The Mahdi will finally be defeated by Jesus when He returns...