the Messiah (literally an anointed): Those who see this prophecy fulfilled in the time of Antiochus IV point to the murder of the high priest Onias III in 171 BC as its fulfillment (see study note on Daniel 11:22). Those who see the fulfillment in the time of Christ understand this prophecy to refer to the crucifixion of the Messiah in AD 30 or 33.
The ruler who will arise might refer to Antiochus IV. He tried to destroy the Jewish people and their temple worship between 171 and 164 BC (see 1 Maccabees 1:20–40). However, many think the destruction of the city and the temple refers to Jerusalem's destruction by the Romans in AD 66–70.
The end refers to the completion of the seventy sets of seven. The text suggests that the very end is a later time and that the war would continue into the future (compare Matthew 24:4–8; Mark 13:5–8).
The image of a flood often represents an invading army (compare Daniel 11:10, 22, 40; Nahum 1:8) or devastating destruction.