King of the North
King of the SoutH
(Daniel 11)
Introductory Issues
Extensive work continues into deciphering the meaning of Daniel 11. It is noteworthy that the last prophetic power there, which comes to its end, is the King of the North.
Early Adventist expositor Uriah Smith believed, as late as 1862, that this power represented the papacy.[1] Then in 1862-1863 he wrote articles on Daniel and Revelation in which he totally changed his views and felt that king to be Turkey.[2]
James White did not support this new position and sought to present unimpeachable evidence that opposed Turkey as the King of the North.
“In 1877 he wrote: “Let us take a brief view of the line of prophecy four times spanned in the book of Daniel. It will be admitted that the same ground is passed over in chapters two, seven, eight, and eleven, with this exception that Babylon is left out of chapters eight and eleven. We first pass down the great image of chapter two, where Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome are represented by the fold, the silver, the brass, and the iron. All agree that these feet are not Turkish but Roman. And as we pass down, the lion, the bear, the leopard, and the beast with ten horns, representing the same as the great image, again all will agree that it is not Turkey that is cast into the burning flame, but the Roman beast. So of chapter eight, all agree that the little horn that stood up against the Prince of princes is not Turkey but Rome. In all these three lines thus far Rome is the last form of government mentioned.
“Now comes the point in the argument upon which very much depends. Does the eleventh chapter of the prophecy of Daniel cover the ground measured by chapters two, seven, and eight? If so, then the last power mentioned in that chapter is Rome.[3]
“That the papacy [centered in Rome] should be the last power clearly brought to view in prophecy is a position in harmony with a statement from the Spirit of Prophecy: ‘The scenes connected with the working of the man of sin are the last features plainly revealed in this earth’s history.’ The king of the north and his activities are the last features in earth’s history brought to view in Daniel 11. Should not the papacy be the king of the north of Daniel 11, then, according to this criteria”[4]
A congruent power that associates with and supports the papacy is the earth beast of Revelation 13. Felt to be the United States, this beast with lamb-like horns becomes a tyrannical force in support of papal standards. Since the papacy has no army, since its power comes through other nations or kingdoms, in the end-time motif, these two powers – the papacy and the United States – can be seen as a unified cooperative regimen. The King of the North draws its long history to a close with support from the earth beast.
The King of the North is identified with the antichrist who assumes the role and perogatives of God. In a series of articles in this magazine (EndTime Issues..., vol. 4, No.s 2,4,5,6,7; vol. 5, No. 2 and vol. 6, No.s 2,3) this was extensively reviewed.
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President Bush and Pope John Paul II |
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” II Thessalonians 2 (Daniel 7, 8, 11; Revelation 13, 17).
The King of the South symbolizes another vast power in competition with and often pressing against that of the North. What force could equate with the papacy or the United States? What kingdom power with a religious bias, working together in a church-state setting could become a challenge to the Vatican and the United States?
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Mecca – Kaba |
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In prophecy, north and south represent evil; east and west good. Another evil force – depicted at the very end of time (the King of the South) – comes against, “pushes at him” (the King of the North). Push – nagah – suggests thrusting towards or even warring against. What world power, what huge force would have an interest to oppose or forcefully compete against an apostate Christian system or nation represented by the papacy and the United States?
It is fascinating that the Koran identifies all non-Islamics as “unbelievers.” It is the antithesis force opposing the “symbolic center” of Christianity – papacy/United States (Protestantism). History of this sect reveals armed conflict against Christians since 674 A.D.[5]
Commensurate with that is this instruction:
“I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them.” (Koran 8:12)
In 1979 the Iranian Revolution exploded, giving birth to a new form of radical Islamic thinking. Ayatollah Khomeini convinced the Islamic world that the United States was the “Great Satan.” Seventy of the world’s 184 countries are part of Dar al Islam or the house of Islam. Six of these are active sponsors of terrorism.
In the setting of verse 40 of Daniel 11, at the es qes or time of the final end – when judgment occurs, conflict between the King of the South (which initiates the war of hate) and that of the North will occur. The King of the North represented with its allies becomes the conqueror. Ultimately, the final focus of this conflict is becoming the “glorious land.”
The glorious land (vs 41) is also a focus of the aggressive moves of the papacy and its allies. a final move surrounds the establishment of papal “rule” in the “glorious holy mountain” (vs 45) that is between the seas. Though literalists strongly adhere to the concept that the papacy will set up a temple in Jerusalem or on the “temple mount” (which conceivably could occur), a vastly broader apocalyptic image is being developed.
The Daniel 8-12 motif draws heavily on the finishing of a holy covenant people (the mareh part of that vision). The repression of the little horn of Daniel 8 is depicted repeatedly here and in the New Testament as threatening God’s people, His leaders, the Prince Himself and, finally, “sitting in the temple of God.” II Thessalonians 2. It is vital that the message of this repetitive symbolic thread of blasphemous words and actions of the papacy right at the end be not overlooked. Daniel shows a dual rise of the papacy as well as Revelation. The little horn, King of the North, sea beast and myriads of proleptic images reveal that this end-time power – with its associate, the United States – will assume the “holy” in every way. What we see trying to be accomplished for God’s holy (qodesh) people in chapters 8 and 9 will be warred against with intensity by the papacy.
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The Vatican does own the “holy sites” in Palestine. They also make repeated overtures to assume control of Jerusalem as a neutral party to bring peace to the region. The United States continues to exhibit an active interest in bringing peace to this land of “holy” interest to Jews, Christians and Muslims alike. And then we see the pivotal figures that appear in Holy Writ acting out earth’s final scenes.
The weight of evidence suggests that the noted conflict will be between the King of the North – the papacy and its ally the United States (Protestantism) and the King of the South – the Islamic World –– with the former prevailing. The final outcome may draw attention to the spiritual center of the Holy Land controlled by the Vatican; but, more importantly, to the final conflict between good and evil.
This spiritual setting, drawing on the broad Danielic messages of chapters 8-12, finally infers that though this conflict occurs and it appears that apostate Christianity will reign, its leaders will come to their end with no one to help (vs 45). This parallels Daniel 8:25, “he shall be broken without hand.” Ezekiel 38 and 39 draw on many parallels to Daniel 11:40-45.
Because of the growing political and religious sensitivity over the conflict between papal apostate Christianity (associated with the United States) and Islam – the two largest religious “bodies” – we have chosen to present a unique report in this issue directly related to them.
The papacy through deceitful gestures is courting the favor of Islam, Hinduism, Voodoo, etc. This is commensurate with the warning given Daniel: “... in his estate shall he honour the god of forces; and a god whom his father knew not ... shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory....” Daniel 11:38-39. Though seeking favor and recognition from many quarters of the non-Christian and Islamic worlds, “at the time of the end” (vs 40 – es qes), a conflict becomes the key issue. Evidence mounts that a love/hate affair will turn fully hateful against Islam right at the end. This may have already begun.
Apocalyptic issues suggest this is a great diversionary tool of Satan to put the United States at the center of world power with the papacy and apostate Protestantism in the moral forefront of human concerns. Each of these (State and Church) set the stage for the tyrannical, power driven forces noted in Revelation 13 where the sea and earth beasts are supportive partners. These, in turn, are faced with Islamic goals to conquer and usurp. Though the papacy reaches out to Muslims as a friend, it is a sham.
A time for solemn reflection by God’s people has come. The play and counterplay of world events tip ever forward in clarifying “how” the final “characters” will position themselves. The aggression by Islamic “radicals” is a Koran-directed order to all the Muslim World.
“Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.” (Koran 2:216)
“The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter.” (Koran 5:33)
“For the Rejecters we have prepared Chains, Yokes, and a Blazing Fire.” (Koran 76:4)
“Nor take life – which Allah has made sacred – except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand Qisas or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the Law).” (Koran 17:33).
The symbolic issues and forces in Daniel reveal that the King of the South’s opposition will fail and apostate Christianity will conquer – temporarily. But it will come to its end at the time of the Tribulation. Daniel 11:45–12:1, 7; Ezekiel 38:20-21; Daniel 9:26-27.
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MUSLIM CLERIC WANTS CHRISTIAN LEADERS KILLED – An Iranian newspaper reported that during an Oct. 11 prayer sermon, Ayatollah Mohsen Mujtahed Shabestari called for the killing of Baptist preacher Jerry Falwell, evangelist Franklin Graham and Christian Coalition founder Pat robertson for a recent series of disparaging remarks they made about Islam. Shabestari reportedly referred to the three as “the Israeli mercenaries” who needed to be “separated from other Christians.” Experts say the ministers’ remarks sparked riots in India, helped religious parties win elections in Pakistan and undermined public sympathy in Islamic countries for the U.S. war on terrorism, The Washington Post reported. Falwell recently apologized for calling Muhammad, the founder of Islam, a “terrorist” during a 60 Minutes broadcast in October. But Akbar Ahmed, chairma of Islamic studies at American University, said Falwell’s comments already had been “flashed all over the Muslim world” and “are doing serious damage to U.S. interests,” the Post said. Charisma 12/2002
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References:
1. Froom, The Prophetic Faith of our Fathers, vol. IV, pp. 1115-1116.
2. Ibid., pp. 1116-1117.
3. James White, Editorial, “Unfulfilled Prophecy,” Review and Herald, Nov. 29, 1877, p. 172, as quoted by Froom, op. cit. IV, pp. 1067.”
4. Zieglar, Gordon L.; The Daniel Eleven Mystery, 1980, p. 366 (unifieduniverse@olywa.net)
5. Westerman, Toby; “The Historic Spread of Islam,” “Jihad, The Radical Islamic Threat to America,” Whistle Blower, Nov. 2001, vol. 10, No. 11, pp. 8-9.
Franklin S. Fowler Jr., M.D.; EndTime Issues...,
Prophecy Research Initiative
EndTime Issues..., May 2003 -
endtimeissues.com