Seleucus I Nicator (358-281 B.C.) was a Macedonian Greek hypaspists commander under Alexander the Great. Upon Alexander's death, Seleucus became one of the rival generals who contended for the empire (Diadochi of Alexander the Great) and ultimately won and established the Seleucid Empire. In light of biblical history, the Seleucid Empire was part of Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a "third kingdom in bronze" (Dan 2:39), and Daniel's "ram" of his second vision during the third year of reign by Nebuchadnezzar's grandson Belshazzar (Dan 8:21). Daniel's visions, an elaboration of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, prophesized of four kingdoms, beginning with the Nebuchadnezzar's Neo-Babylonian Empire, that would precede the everlasting Kingdom of God.

In Daniel's dream during the first year of Belshazzar's reign (Dan 7:6), the third beast that came from the sea looked "like a leopard" and had "four wings of a bird" and "four heads." With the hindsight of history, Alexander the Great conquered the Persian Empire in a mere three years, and the "four heads" and "four wings of a bird" appear to symbolize the four main generals of Alexander the Great's army: Ptolemy, Seleucus, Lysimachus, and Cassander who would later carve up Alexander's empire when he dies.

In Daniel's vision during the third year of Belshazzar's reign, the male goat is identified as the "king of Greece" and the "large horn" as the "first king" Alexander the Great (Dan 8:21).

"The broken horn and the four horns that arose in its place represent four kingdoms which will arise from his nation" allude to the four general-emperors that divided Alexander the Great's empire (Dan 8:22). This imagery is consistent with Daniel's earlier vision of a leopard like beast with four heads and four wings (Dan 7:6).

Introduced for the first time, the angel Gabriel reveals that "a king will arise, insolent and skilled in intrigue" (Dan 8:23), "he will destroy" (Dan 8:24-25), "he will magnify himself in his heart… even oppose the Prince of princes" (Dan 8:25).

This evil king is elaborated upon roughly 10 years later when Daniel has another vision during the first year of Darius the Mede's reign (Dan 11). In light of details found in Daniel 11:21-35 and with a view of historical events, the identity of this evil king is believed to be Antiochus IV Epiphanes who arose from the Seleucid Empire.

Although he was not next in line for the throne, Antiochus IV Epiphanes seized the throne through murder and intrigue. Of all the Seleucid rulers, Antiochus IV Epiphanes does fit the description as the "despicable person" (Dan 11:21), because of his brutal persecution of the Jews, oppression of Judea, and desecration of the Temple.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes would perish from illness and not by "human agency" (Dan 8:25).

With the empire in his control, Seleucus founded and fortified strategically located cities, and in honor of his father Antiochus, named several cities "Antiocheia." Roughly 300 years later, the New Testament would mention two cities called Antioch: Antioch of Syria and Antioch of Pisidia, and the Christian churches of both cities would be associated with a ministry towards Gentiles.

Antioch of Syria

Located approximately 300 miles north of Jerusalem and on the eastern side of the Orontes River, Antioch of Syria was considered the third most important city after Rome and Alexandria, because of its position in the Silk Road's east - west trade route and as part of the Persian Royal Road communications route. After resettling a number of Jews, Seleucus I Nicator granted them the rights of Greek citizenship. Conquering the city in 64 B.C., the Romans improved Antioch's roads and security, which increased the area's prosperity.

The Silk Road

After the Ascension of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:6-11), the gospel is introduced spectacularly on Pentecost to Jews "from every nation under heaven" (Acts 2:1-11), when the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs. With the word of God boldly being shared (Acts 4:31), the earliest mention of Antioch occurs when seven men were selected to serve the widows and one was from Antioch of Syria (Acts 6:1-6).

The announcement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. (Acts 6:5)

With the martyrdom of Stephen and the ensuing persecution by Jewish religious authorities, Believers fled Jerusalem and gathered in Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch (Acts 11:19). The growth of the Antioch church (of Syria) was notable (Acts 11:19-30) and the disciples here were first called Christians (Acts 11:26).

Antioch of Syria was a strong teaching church, and the apostle Paul started his missionary life from there:

Now there were prophets and teachers at Antioch, in the church that was there: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work to which I have called them." Then, when they had fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. (Acts 11:1-3)

The apostle Paul considered Antioch of Syria his home church (Acts 15:35-36; 18:22-23), and it was here that the earliest theological conflicts were recorded between Jewish customs and Christianity. The divisive issue of circumcision and keeping certain aspects of the Law of Moses was referred to the church of Jerusalem for resolution (Acts 14:24 - 15:35).

Antioch of Pisidia

Located in the Anatolian region of Asia Minor on the mountainous border of Pisidia and Phrygia, this fortified city served as a military base against adverse ethnic groups. After Roman conquest, construction of the Via Sebaste, Roman Imperial Road, was initiated in 6 B.C., and connected Antioch with the Mediterranean coast (via Perga) and the rest of the Roman empire. In addition to trade, the road served as a quick response military transport and imperial communications route, which made the city an important city in Asia Minor.

Roman Imperial Road

Of the New Testament, Antioch of Pisidia is notable for the apostle Paul's longest sermon presenting the gospel, from the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies to atonement / resurrection, on the Sabbath in a Jewish synagogue during his first missionary journey (Acts 13:14-41).

The next day, the apostle Paul spoke to most of the Gentile inhabitants of the entire city who received his gospel message with great joy (Acts 13:44-49).

Paul would later refer to the persecution and expulsion by the Pisidian Jews (Act 13:50-51; 14:19-23) in his letter to Timothy:

Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil people and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Tim 3:10-13)

Some scholars believe that the epistle to the Galatians was intended for Antioch of Pisidia and nearby churches on the Roman Imperial Road (i.e. Lystra and Iconium) which were part of the Roman province of Galatia.