When the disillusioned Antiochus passes through Israel with his large booty, he seeks to cool his anger on the people of God. In Antiochus’s heart there is hatred against the Lord and his people: the hatred for the holy covenant. We know from history that he plunders Jerusalem and robs the most precious things from the temple. He takes away the golden altar, the golden lampstand, the table of showbread, the golden cups and robs other precious things from the house of God. He desecrates the altar of burnt offering. There is no respect for the Lord and his house. This is the beginning of a terrible oppression of God’s people.
No matter what Antiochus does; no matter how powerful and great he feels, it is still the Lord who rules everything. The Lord has determined the length of his life. Even Antiochus is unable to do more than what is fixed in God’s plan.
28 And he shall return to his land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the holy covenant. And he shall work his will and return to his own land.