DANIEL 11:40-45
PRESENTATION OF DANIEL CHAPTER 11
AT TEGETA SDA CHURCH,
DAR ES SALAAM
TANZANIA
ON 11 3/9/2011
ADAPTED FROM
"The The Final Rise and Fall of the King of the North"
by Jeff Pippenger
WHO is the "king of the north?" Although I believe it is clear who this king is, this subject has been under discussion in Adventism for years. Many of the pioneers viewed him as the Papacy: When men come in who would move one pin or pillar from the foundation which God has established by His Holy Spirit, let the aged men who were pioneers in our work speak plainly, and let those who are dead speak also, by the reprinting of their articles in our periodicals. Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, 55.
God has given me light regarding our periodicals. What is it?-He has said that the dead are to speak. How?-Their works shall follow them. We are to repeat the words of the pioneers in our work, who knew what it cost to search for the truth as for hidden treasure, and who labored to lay the foundation of our work. They moved forward step by step under the influence of the Spirit of God. One by one these pioneers are passing away. The word given me is, Let that which these men have written in the past be reproduced. Counsels to Writers and Editors, 28.
It is true that there are prophecies yet to be fulfilled. But very erroneous work has been done again and again, and will continue to be done by those who seek to find new light in the prophecies, and who begin by turning away from the light that God has already given. The messages of Revelation 14 are those by which the world is to be tested; they are the everlasting gospel, and are to be sounded everywhere. But the Lord does not lay upon those who have not had an experience in His work the burden of making a new exposition of those prophecies which He has, by His Holy Spirit, moved upon His chosen servants to explain. Selected Messages, book 2, 111-112.
Pioneers Position:
Two early pioneers give their view of this last power in Daniel 11: Michael is to stand up at the time that the last power in [Daniel] chapter 11, comes to his end, and none to help him. This power is the last that treads down the true church of God: and as the true church is still trodden down, and cast out by all Christendom, it follows that the last oppressive power has not "come to his end;" and Michael has not stood up. This last power that treads down the saints is brought to view in Revelation 13:11-18. His number is 666. James White, A Word to the Little Flock, 8-9.
Historical events, showing the direct fulfillment of prophecy, were set before the people, and the prophecy was seen to be a figurative delineation of events leading down to the close of this earth's history. The scenes connected with the working of the man of sin are the last features plainly revealed in this earth's history. Selected Messages, book 2, 102.
The Sequence Begins - Verse Forty, Daniel 11:40
“AND at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him- and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.”
Nine Questions about this Verse:
1. When is the "time of the end"?
2. Who is the "king of the south"?
3. What does "push" mean?
4. Who is the "king of the north"?
5. What is meant by to "come against like a whirlwind"?
6. What are "chariots" and "horsemen"?
7. What are "ships"?
8. What are "countries"?
9. What does "overflow and pass over" mean?
Question 1: When is the "time of the end”?
1. The time of the end began in 1798:
But at the time of the end, says the prophet, "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Daniel 12:4.... Since 1798 the book of Daniel has been unsealed, knowledge of the prophecies has increased, and many have proclaimed the solemn message of the judgment near. The Great Controversy, 356
Question 2: Who is the “king of the south”?
2. The word south comes from the Hebrew referring to Egypt. It means the land desert, south of Judea." (fr south-5045: from an unused root mean. to be parched; the south (from its drought); spec. the Negeb or southern district of Judah, occasionally, Egypt (as south to Palestine.): -south (country, side,-ward). The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, 1984 edition
Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: that walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion. For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes. They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be an help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach. The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them. For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, their strength is to sit still. Isaiah 30:1-7.
Sister White, when describing the characteristics of France in The Great Controversy, defines the symbols used in the book of Revelation which describe the French Revolution. Revelation 11:8 figuratively identifies France as "the great city," and calls it "spiritually" "Sodom and Egypt." Egypt in this context is symbolic of atheism: "The great city" in whose streets the witnesses are slain, and where their dead bodies lie, is "spiritually" Egypt. Of all nations presented in Bible history, Egypt most boldly denied the existence of the living God, and resisted His commands. No monarch ever ventured upon more open and high-handed rebellion against the authority of Heaven than did the king of Egypt. When the message was brought him by Moses, in the name of the Lord, Pharaoh proudly answered, "Who is Jehovah, that I should hearken unto His voice to let Israel go? I know not Jehovah and moreover I will not let Israel go." Exodus 5:2, A.R.V. This is atheism, and the nation represented by Egypt would give voice to a similar denial of the claims of the living God, and would manifest a like spirit of unbelief and defiance. "The great city" is also compared, spiritually," to Sodom. The corruption of Sodom in breaking the law of God was especially manifested in licentiousness. And this sin was also to be a pre-eminent characteristic of the nation that should fulfill the specifications of this scripture.
According to the words of the prophet, then, a little before the year 1798 some power of satanic origin and character would rise to make war upon the Bible. And in the land where the testimony of God's two witnesses should thus be silenced, there would be manifest the atheism of the Pharaoh and the licentiousness of Sodom. This prophecy has received a most exact and striking fulfillment in the history of France. During the Revolution, in 1793, for the first time heard an assembly of men, born and educated in civilization, and assuming the right to govern one of the finest of the European nations, uplift their united voice to deny the most solemn truth which man's soul receives, and renounce unanimously the belief and worship of a Deity."-Sir Walter Scott, Life of Napoleon, vol. 1, ch. 17.
"France is the only nation in the world concerning which the authentic record survives, that as a nation she lifted her hand in open rebellion against the Author of the universe......... Blackwood's Magazine, November 1870. The Great Controversy, 269-270
In the French Revolution not only was the Word of God denied but also God Himself. Notice that symbolically the term "great city" is used to identify a nation. We will apply this prophetic symbol again in this study: By the decree of the French Government, declaring that the nation acknowledged no God, the Old and New Testaments were slain throughout the limits of Republican France.... On the 1st of November, 1793, Gobet, with the Republican priests of Paris, had thrown off the gown, and abjured Religion. On the 11th, a "Grand Festival," dedicated to "Reason and Truth," was celebrated in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, which had been desecrated, and been named "the Temple of Reason." George Croly, The Apocalypse of St. John, 175-177.
In 1793, the decree passed the French Assembly suppressing the Bible. Just three years after, a resolution was introduced into the Assembly going to supersede the decree, and giving toleration to the Scriptures. That resolution lay on the table six months, when it was taken up, and passed without a dissenting vote... on the 17th of June. George Stoffs, Midnight Cry, Volume 4, Nos 5-6, 47
When a nation voices something, it is symbolic of the actions of its government. The communistic type of government is built around laws denying God (atheism) and expressing unbelief in the Word of God: The "speaking" of the nation is the action of its legislative and judicial authorities. The Great Controversy, 442
In Revelation 11:7 and also Revelation 17:8 we have a power that came out of a bottomless pit, which symbolically means that it has no foundation in the Word of God. The French revolution lacked the support of the Word of God, for it was founded and sustained upon atheism. In Exodus 5:2, "Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go."
A Most Important Rule The identification of the "king of the south" in the prophecy of Daniel 11 is determined by which power conforms to the characteristics of Egypt. In prophetic study, a prophecy which is applied before the time of the cross is understood as literal in its application. After the time of the cross, a prophecy is recognized in its symbolic application. This rule is consistent. In 1798 the power which is identified in the Bible as possessing the characteristics of Egypt is France. France was the king of the south in 1798
Revolution The principle which Pharaoh proclaimed is the same principle which actuated the French Revolution. This principle would continue to develop into an ideology which would eventually take the form of a communistic government beginning with the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. The revolution of atheism in France continued to propagate itself until it matured into the revolution of Communism in Russia. As the Soviet Union began its attempt to control the world, country after country was confronted with the weapon of atheism revolution.
Almost all of the nations where these revolutions were successful in bringing the governments under the domain and influence of the Soviet Union had formerly been under the dominion of the Papacy. Communism's ongoing revolutions allowed the Papacy to identify the Soviet Union as a common enemy, both of the Papacy and of the United States. The common enemy ploy prepared the way for the alliance of verse 40 and Revelation 13:
Worldwide dissemination of the same teachings that led to the French Revolution-[is] tending to involve the whole world in a struggle similar to that which convulsed France. Education, 228
The king of the south began his attack during the time of the French Revolution by taking the pope captive, thus inflicting the deadly wound, but it continued its war against Catholicism throughout the history of the Soviet Union. In time, the prophecy states that the king of the north would return and sweep away the king of the south.
Question 3: What does "push” mean?
3. The word translated 'push' means to war against:
I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great. Daniel 8:4. push-505 push. Strong's. 5: push; to butt with horns; fig. to war against: gore, Push symbolizes a war initiated at the "time of the end" (1798), by the "king of the south" (atheism), against the "king of the north" (the Papacy).
Question 4: Who is the "king of the north"?
4. The 'king of the north' is the Papacy:
Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations. Jeremiah 25:9.
For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people. Ezekiel 26:7; see also Jeremiah 46:2, 20.
The woman (Babylon) of Revelation 17 is described as "arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness ... and upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS." Says the prophet "I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus." Babylon is further declared to be "that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." Revelation 17:4-6, 18. The power that for so many centuries maintained despotic sway over the monarchs of Christendom is Rome. The Great Controversy, 382
Prophecy applied before the cross is understood in its local and literal setting; prophecy applied after the cross is understood in its symbolic setting. For example, modem Israel is the Seventh day Adventist Church, so too, modem Babylon is the Papacy.
Question 5: What is meant by to "come against like whirlwind"?
5. Whirlwind is to take away fearfully like a storm, and describes a mighty, sweeping away, and an ascendancy: come 8175: a prim. root; to storm; by impl. to shiver, i.e. fear:-be (horribly) afraid, fear, hurl as a storm, be tempestuous, come like (take away as with) a whirlwind. against-5921: same as 5920. 5920: from 5927. 5927: Prim. root; to ascend, intrans. (be high) or act. (mount); used in great variety of senses, primary and secondary, lit. and fig. (as follow): -arise (up), (cause to) ascend up.
In the time of the end the king of the south (atheism) will wage a war against the king of the north (the Papacy), but in time the king of the north (the Papacy) will return, and will come against the king of the south (Communism) as a mighty storm and will sweep away the king of the south. Then the king of the north will arise up or ascend at the same time.
Question 6: What are "chariots” and “Horsemen"?
6. Chariots and horsemen symbolize military Strength: Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. I Kings 1:5. And Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it.
When the king of the north (the Papacy) arises and sweeps away the king of the south (Communism), he will use military strength to bring it about: Support will be withdrawn from those who proclaim God's only standard of righteousness, the only sure test of character. And all who will not bow to the decree of the national councils, and obey the national laws to exalt the sabbath instituted by the man of sin to the disregard of God's holy day, will feel, not the oppressive power of popery alone, but of the Protestant world, the image of the beast. . . . Selected Messages, book 3, 385
Question 7: What are "ships"?
7. Ships symbolize economic strength:
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters. Psalm 107:23. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. Proverbs 31:14. For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. Revelation 18:17-19.
Through economic pressure the king of the north sweeps away the king of the south. The king of the south succumbs to a combination of economic and military power, the same two characteristics that the Papacy and its image will use to force the world to receive the mark of the beast. See Revelation 13:15-17.
Question 8: What are "countries”?
8. The "countries" spoken of here represent the countries that were under the king of the south's control. If nothing else, this fact tells us that the king of the south had a group, or confederation of countries. These countries of the king of the south were the satellites of the U.S.S.R.
Question 9: What does "overflow and pass over" mean?
9. To overflow is to rush, or wash away; and to pass over is to cross over or overrun:
overflow-7857: a prim. root; to gush; by imp]. to inundate, cleanse; by anal. to gallop, conquer: -drown, (over-) flow (-wheim), rinse, run, rush, (thoroughly) wash (away). pass-5674: a prim. root; to cross over. Strong's.
Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks: And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel. Isa 8:7-8 also read Daniel 9:26, 11:22, 26.
The Total Analysis:
In 1798 the king of the south, France, began an ongoing war against the king of the north, Catholicism. Atheism continued to develop its ideology, and reached another stage of growth at the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. Communism continued the war against Catholicism, attempting to bring the former empire of papal Rome into its grasp, but in time, Catholicism mounted an overwhelming counterattack. The king of the north swept away the entire structure of the king of the south, entering, into all the countries of the former Soviet Union. This overwhelming attack came with the military and economic aid of the United States. This alliance repeats the history of Clovis, when "arms shall stand on his [John Paul II] part." It points to Revelation 13, teaching that soon the United States will speak as a dragon, and then force the world to also form an image to the beast. Daniel 11:40 is the first historical manifestation of this end-time unholy alliance.
He shall enter into the countries and pass through. This prophecy is certainly being fulfilled. Amid the wonderful stories of evangelistic triumphs in Eastern Europe at this time, rest assured that the Catholic Church is moving rapidly to reclaim its stranglehold once again on these countries. This verse implies that she does just this, as she (Catholicism) passes through. Our window of opportunity is indeed very short.
The most incredible part of this entire history is that God through Daniel concisely described the events of such enormous significance in just one verse, containing only fifty words. As already noted, there will be scenes similar to these, history will be repeated, and "arms shall stand on his part." Daniel 11: 31.'
Sometime around 1798 atheism was to come on the scene of history and begin a war against Catholicism that would continue until the battle would be reversed. Then the Catholic Church was to come against Communism (the modern fruition of atheism), symbolized by the Soviet Union, and would sweep away its entire structure.
This action was to involve an alliance between Rome and the United States, using military pressure (chariots and horses), economic pressure (ships), and intrigue to bring the U.S.S.R. to collapse, at which time Catholicism was to sweep into the former Eastern bloc countries and begin to reassert her former domination. Brothers and sisters, it has come to pass. Consider Matthew 24:15, and Revelation 13:9, "Whoso readeth, let him understand," and "If any man have an ear, let him hear."
Verse 41 states, symbolically, that the next area of conquest for the king of the north in his march to control the entire world is the United States. Then, through economic and military power, the United States will force the entire world to pay homage to Catholicism. This prepares the way for the Papacy to take control of the world: Romanists declare that "the observance of Sunday by the Protestants is an homage they pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the [Catholic] Church........ The enforcement of Sunday keeping on the part of Protestant churches is an enforcement of the worship of the Papacy- of the beast. Those who, understanding the claims of the fourth commandment, choose to observe the false instead of the true Sabbath are thereby paying homage to that power by which alone it is commanded.
But in the very act of enforcing a religious duty by secular power, the churches would themselves form an image to the beast; hence the enforcement of Sunday keeping in the United States would be an enforcement of the worship of the beast and his image. The Great Controversy, 448-449.
Entering the Glorious Land:
The "glorious land" is a land where God chose to allow the last message of mercy to develop in its infancy in 1844, and finally to mature into the loud cry of Revelation 18. The "glorious land" is not the "glorious holy mountain" of verse 45. A land and a mountain are different. Just as ancient Israel was provided a land to prosper and to present the message to the world, so modem Israel also has been provided an asylum to do the same work in a modern setting.
In verse 40 the word countries is in the original, and points to the different countries making up the former U.S.S.R., but in verse 41 the word countries is supplied. So in view of this fact, when the king of the north enters the United States through the passage of a national Sunday law, many shall be overthrown, not many countries.
Those overthrown are the ones who come into the clasp of the iron hand of Rome by accepting the national Sunday law. Those who escape are those responding to the beginning of the loud-cry message under the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which begins in earnest when the national Sunday law is passed. I am not suggesting that the latter rain does not begin shortly before the passage of the national Sunday law, but that it intensifies greatly at that time, as God's people recognize the long-awaited fulfillment of the prophecies. Edom, Ammon, and Moab symbolize those who begin to respond to this last message of mercy.
The Long-Awaited Sunday Law – Daniel 11:41:
“He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. After sweeping through the domain of the king of the south, the king of the north now enters his next geographical area. This time though, instead of gaining a complete domination, a group is identified which escape from his hand. First, let us identify the glorious land.
The Lord provided a goodly or glorious land for ancient Israel, and He provided a goodly or glorious land for modern Israel. The purpose for both was the same. It was an asylum for His people, and a depository for His pure religion: glorious-6643: in the sense of prominence; splendor (as conspicuous), beautiful, goodly. Strong's.
The Lord has done more for the United States than for any other country upon which the sun shines. Here He provided an asylum for His people, where they could worship Him according to the dictates of conscience. Here Christianity has progressed in its purity. The life-giving doctrine of the one Mediator between God and man has been freely taught. God designed that this country should ever remain free for all people to worship Him in accordance with the dictates of conscience. He designed that its civil institutions, in their expansive productions, should represent the freedom of gospel privileges. Maranatha, 193
The following passage is very important. Sister White first presents a passage where the prophet Jeremiah is clearly identifying the land which ancient Israel was given as an inheritance from the Lord. Then Sister White uses this passage to lead into an identification of the role which the United States plays for modem Israel: In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers. But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of the nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me. Jeremiah 3:18-19.
When the land which the Lord provided as an asylum for His people, that they might worship Him according to the dictates of their own consciences, the land over which for long years the shield of Omnipotence has been spread, the land which God has favored by making it the depository of the pure religion of Christ-when that land shall, through its legislators, abjure the principles of Protestantism, and give countenance to Romish apostasy in tampering with God's law-it is then that the final work of the man of sin will be revealed. Signs of the Times, June 12, 1893.
The people of the United States have been a favored people; but when they restrict religious liberty, surrender Protestantism, and give countenance to popery, the measure of their guilt will be full, and "national apostasy" will be registered in the books of heaven. The result of this apostasy will be national ruin. Review and Herald, May 2, 1893.
Our land is in jeopardy. The time is drawing on when its legislators shall so abjure the principles of Protestantism as to give countenance to Romish apostasy. The people for whom God has so marvelously wrought, strengthening them to throw off the galling yoke of popery, will by a national act give vigor to the corrupt faith of Rome, and thus arouse the tyranny which only waits for a touch to start again into cruelty and despotism. With rapid steps are we already approaching this period. The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, 410
America . . . where the greatest light from Heaven has been shining upon the people, can become the place of greatest peril and darkness because the people do not continue to practice the truth and walk in the light. Selected Messages, book 3, 387
The glorious or goodly land was Palestine for ancient Israel, and it is the United States for modem Israel. The purpose of Palestine and the United States was the same for both ancient and modern Israel. God has watched over His church and the land where He settled them that the truth might be fully proclaimed to the world.
Hand Signs: Two characteristics prominent in the final movements of the king of the north are the clasping of hands, and the marching, or steps, or treading. The walling or marching, and the clasping of hands are spiritual terms employed by both Daniel and the Spirit of Prophecy which add to the continuity of this prophecy: When our nation shall so abjure the principles of its government as to enact a Sunday law, Protestantism will in this act join hands with popery. Testimonies, vol. 5, 712
How the Roman Church can clear herself from the charge of idolatry we cannot see. . . . And this is the religion which Protestants are beginning to look upon with so much favor, and which will eventually be united with Protestantism. This union will not, however, be effected by a change in Catholicism; for Rome never changes. She claims infallibility. It is Protestantism that will change. The adoption of liberal ideas on its part will bring it where it can clasp the hand of Catholicism. Review and Herald, June 1, 1886
The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of Spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience. The Great Controversy, 588
By the decree enforcing the institution of the Papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. Testimonies, vol. 5, 451
In the movements now in progress in the United States to secure for the institutions and usages of the church the support of the state, Protestants are following in the steps of papists. Nay, more, they are opening the door for the Papacy to regain in Protestant America the supremacy which she has lost in the Old World. The Great Controversy, 573
When a national Sunday law is passed in the United States, this country will symbolically join hands with Rome. It will also, symbolically begin to march, or follow, in the steps of Rome: Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Amos 3:3.
Those Who Join Hands: In this verse the word countries is supplied. Many countries will not be overthrown at the time of the national Sunday law, just many people. The previous verse refers to many countries as the former countries of the Soviet Union became prey for Rome, and the next verse speaks of countries as it describes the whole world coming under the dominion of Rome. However, this verse is dealing only with the national Sunday law in the United States, and at this point, only many will be overthrown, not many countries. Who are the people that will be overthrown?
When the law of God is made void the church will be sifted by fiery trials, and a larger portion than we now anticipate, will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Selected Messages, book 2, 368
The great issue so near at hand will weed out those whom God has not appointed and He will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain.... Ibid., book 3, 385.
As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel's message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position, and join the ranks of the opposition. The Great Controversy, 608
In the absence of the persecution there have drifted into our ranks men who appear sound and their Christianity unquestionable, but who, if persecution should arise, would go out from us. Evangelism, 360
The work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and prosperity she will have to do in a terrible crisis under most discouraging, forbidding circumstances. The warnings that worldly conformity has silenced or withheld must be given under the fiercest opposition from enemies of the faith. And at that time the superficial, conservative class, whose influence has steadily retarded the progress of the work, will renounce the faith and take their stand with its avowed enemies, toward whom their sympathies have long been tending. Testimonies, vol. 5, 463
These passages point out that a large class of superficial, conservative professors of the three angels' messages, who refused to enter into the experience of sanctification, will join the enemy. Also, the greater part of the people in our land will accept the mark of the beast at the time of the Sunday law. However, who are those who escape, and fill the places of those who leave the truth?
Different Escape Routes: It is interesting to note that the word escape in this verse is different than the word translated escape in the very next verse. The people who escape this national Sunday law escape by slipperiness, and the verse says, escape out of his hand. The definition of this word brings to mind the type of slipperiness when one cannot hold onto a bar of soap in a tub of water. It slips right out of one's hand. The most important distinction of this word's definition is that it identifies those who escape, as those who had formerly been in the hand of the king of the north. That is to say that these people had formerly been part of modern Babylon. The people who escape, slip out of Rome's hand; whereas, those which are overthrown clasp the iron fist of Rome:
Escape-4422: a prim. root; prop. to be smooth, i.e. (by impl.) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causat. to release or rescue; to bring forth young, emit sparks: -deliver (self), escape, lay, leap out, let alone, let go, preserve, save. Strong's.
Fleeing the Wrath to Come: When those that "believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians 2:12), shall be left to receive strong delusion and to believe a lie, then the light of truth will shine upon all whose hearts are open to receive it, and all the children of the Lord that remain in Babylon will heed the call: "Come out of her, my people." Revelation 18:4. Maranatha, 173
The law of God cannot be made void by the law of a nation. When the law is trampled in the dust, the sacredness of the commandments of God will be vindicated by those who are loyal to Him. We are to make no railing accusation against the nations, for this would close our way so that we could not set the light before the people. Every objection raised against the commandments of God will make a way for the advancement of truth and enable its advocates to present its value before men. There is a beauty and force in the truth that nothing can make so apparent as opposition and persecution. When this is revealed, many will be converted to the truth. Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 141-142.
The Closed Door: Many who have known the truth have corrupted their way before God and departed from the faith. The broken ranks will be filled up by those represented by Christ as coming in at the eleventh hour. There are many with whom the Spirit of God is striving.The time of God's destructive judgments is the time of mercy for those who have no opportunity to learn what is truth. Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His heart of mercy is touched; His hand is still stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who would not enter. Large numbers will be admitted who in these last days hear the truth for the first time. This Day With God, 163
The Eleventh-Hour Workers: During this transition time when the eleventh-hour workers are receiving the love of the truth, 'those they are replacing in God's church have already closed their probations solemn thought indeed: Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth, there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children.
At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of the world has supplanted love for God and His word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time to prepare a people for the Lord's second coming.... Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian world. The Great Controversy, 464
There are diligent students of the word of prophecy in all parts of the world, who are obtaining light and still greater light from searching the Scriptures. This is true of all nations, of all tribes, and all peoples, These will come from the grossest error, and will take the places of those who have had opportunities and privileges and have not prized them. These have worked out their own salvation with fear and trembling lest they become deficient in doing the ways and will of God, while those who have great light, have, through perversity of their own natural hearts, turned away from Christ because displeased with the requirements.
But God will not be left without witness. The one-hour labourers will be brought in at the eleventh hour, and will consecrate ability and all their entrusted means to advance the work. These will receive the reward for their faithfulness, because they are true to principle and shun not their duty to declare the whole counsel of God. When those who have had abundance of light throw off the restraint which the Word of God imposes, and make void His law, others will come in to fill their place, and take their crown....Great is the work of the Lord. Men are choosing sides. Even those supposed to be heathen will choose the side of Christ, while those who become offended, as did the disciples, will go away and walk no more with Him. And others will come in and occupy the place they have left vacant. The time is very near when man shall have reached the prescribed limits... The record of their works in the books of heaven is "Weighed in the balances, and found wanting." Review and Herald, June 15, 1897.
Who are these one-hour laborers, these supposed heathen, these diligent students of prophecy? Not exclusively, but primarily, they are people who come from the religious bodies, or from those churches in which the love of the world has supplanted the love of God-from the churches of Babylon.
The Christian Theater: The so-called Christian world is to be the theater of great and decisive actions. Selected Messages, book 3, 392
In the great conflict between faith and unbelief, the whole Christian world will be involved. Review and Herald, February 7, 1893.
All Christendom will be divided into two great classes. The Great Controversy, 450, As the Sabbath has become the special point of controversy throughout Christendom, and religious and secular authorities have combined to enforce the observance of the Sunday, the persistent refusal of a small minority to yield to the popular demand will make them objects of universal execration. Ibid., 615.
Prophetically, the focus is on all Christendom. The symbols associated with the prophetic testimony of this time period of earth's history should be understood within the context of Christendom. See Testimonies, vol. 9, 16. The main group of people to respond to the final message of mercy comes from Christendom.
Edom, Moab and the Chief of Children of Ammon; Daniel 11:41
BUT these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
Prophecies foretelling the events connected with the latter rain, and the types recording historical illustrations setting forth the events connected with it, invariably identify three enemies opposing the work of Israel. Though found within differing settings in the Bible record, these three enemies maintain characteristics common to each illustration.
They are relatives of Israel. One enemy is set forth as a plural group. Many times the meaning of their name adds to the understanding of the prophecy or type. Moab, Ammon, and Edom were close relatives of ancient Israel. Lot, the progenitor of Moab and Ammon is used as a figure in the story of the escape from Sodom.
Symbolic Relatives: But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. Luke 17:29-30.
The Spirit of Prophecy teaches that Lot is a figure of those who escape being overthrown by the Sunday law during the time of the latter rain: Servants of God, endowed with power from on high with their faces lighted up, and shining with holy consecration, went forth to proclaim the message from heaven. Souls that were scattered all through the religious bodies answered to the call, and the precious were hurried out of the doomed churches, as Lot was hurried out of Sodom before her destruction. Early writings 278-279
Isaiah also uses Ammon, Moab, and Edom to symbolize those who respond to the loud-cry message. In that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off. Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them. And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dry shod. And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt. Isaiah 11: 10- 16.
The Sabbath Banner: The previous passage teaches that the Lord is going to lift up an ensign, or banner for the whole world to see. This banner is the Sabbath. ensign-5251: from 5264; a flag; also a sail; by impl. a flagstaff; gen. a signal; fig. a token: -banner, pole, sail, (en-)sign, standard. 5264: to gleam from afar, i.e. to be conspicuous as a signal; to raise a beacon: lift up as an ensign, standard bearer. Strong's.
It is at this time that the true Sabbath must be brought before the people both by pen and by voice. As the fourth commandment of the Decalogue and those who observe it are ignored and despised, the faithful few know that it is the time not to hide their face but to exalt the law of Jehovah by unfurling the banner on which is inscribed the message of the third angel, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12. Evangelism, 281
Sister White uses the expression, "stretched out His hand a second time" (Isaiah 11: 11), to represent the final gathering time of God's people. Confirming that this part of Isaiah is pointing to the final gathering, she also emphasizes the remnant, and speaks of the unity which will prevail at that time: The Lord showed me that He had stretched out His hand the second time to recover the remnant of His people, and that efforts must be redoubled in this gathering time.... In the gathering, when God has set His hand to gather His people, efforts to spread the truth will have their designed effect. All should be united and zealous in the work. Early Writings, 74
God will bring all of His people into perfect harmony and they will proclaim the final message to the entire world. Edom, Ammon, and Moab symbolize those who respond to this last message. The word "remnant' pinpoints this passage as the final days of the earth’s history:
In vision I saw two armies in terrible conflict. One army was led by banners bearing the world's insignia; the other was led by the bloodstained banner of Prince Immanuel. Standard after standard was left to trail in the dust as company after company from the Lord's army joined the foe and tribe after tribe from the ranks of the enemy united with the commandment-keeping people of God.... The army following the banner with the inscription, "The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus," was gloriously triumphant. Testimonies, vol. 8, 41
Isaiah, chapters 10 through 12, gives an account of the outpouring of the latter rain and the worldwide scope of the preaching of the three angels' messages. Isaiah points to the unity that will exist among God's people at that time, and to Moab, Ammon, and Edom as being symbols of those who accept this message. Sister White confirms this understanding of the passage, and clarifies that the banner is Revelation 14:12 with its Sabbath implications. Certainly Daniel's prediction about Moab, Ammon, and Edom is consistent with the national Sunday law test.
Daniel 11:41 teaches that the next step in this prophecy is a national Sunday law in the United States. At this test, probation will begin to close for Adventists, and their places will be filled by those who are called the eleventh-hour workers, symbolized by Moab, Edom, and Ammon. Is this not a sobering thought?
Other Sheep: The three enemies identified in Daniel 11:41 and other passages of prophecy, which address the final work of God's people under the latter rain, are those who are identified by Christ in John 10: 16: And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. These "other sheep" are found in the fold of modern Babylon, which is represented symbolically in prophecy as three enemies. They are those who have not understood the truth for this time, yet have been living up to all the light which they have been permitted to see. At the time of the Sunday law they will recognize the truth and stand with those who are then proclaiming the three angels' messages with a loud cry. Before the Sunday law test, which is symbolized by the king of the north entering the glorious land, they are to be found in the communion of the churches of Babylon, which is described as a threefold union in Bible prophecy. The threefold union in Revelation consists of the beast, dragon, and false prophet, and is nothing more than the present-day manifestation of the three enemies which have consistently been seen ' in Bible prophecy when the final work of God's people was being illustrated.
These three enemies, in Daniel 11:41 represent the threefold makeup of modern Babylon, and yet they also represent those who flee from the hand of modern Babylon. This is, of course, in agreement with the very message for this hour, as the fourth angel of Revelation 18 is a call to come out of Babylon. Sister White also confirms this truth: Revelation 18 points to the time when, as the result of rejecting the threefold warning of Revelation 14:6-12, the church will have fully reached the condition foretold by the second angel, and the people of God still in Babylon will be called upon to separate from her communion. This message is the last that will ever be given to the world; and it will accomplish its work. When those that "believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians 2:12), shall be left to receive strong delusion and to believe a lie, then the light of truth will shine upon all whose hearts are open to receive it, and all the children of the Lord that remain in Babylon will heed the call: "Come out of her, my people." Revelation 18:4. Maranatha, 173
The Chief of the Children: When considering these three symbolic nations, the term, "the chief of the children," is important. The word chief means "firstfruits," and is derived from the root word meaning-"shaking." At the time of the Sunday law in the United States, the Lord begins to shake the heavens and the earth for the final time. The first fruits of those to respond to the final message of warning are in the United States, for this is where the final test begins. Moab, Edom, and the chief (first fruits) of the children of Ammon are the beginning of those who respond to the three angels' messages. In the passage in Isaiah these same three nations are represented, but the context of Isaiah's passage prophetically locates these three nations just before probation closes for all mankind. Isaiah's prophecy demonstrates this by symbolizing the final deliverance of God's people just after portraying Edom, Moab, and Ammon joining God's faithful:
But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them. And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dry shod. And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt. Isaiah II: 14-16.
In this description they are symbolizing the finishing of the loud cry, and Ammon is simply the children of Ammon, no longer the chief of the children. In Daniel 11:41 we see these nations representing the beginning of the loud cry message, and they are therefore the first fruits or the "chief of the children." At the close of the loud cry message Isaiah simply identifies them as the "children."
Three Enemies Symbolized: Let us consider some of the places in which Scripture portrays these three enemies. References and definitions of names are taken from the Seventh-day
Adventist Bible Dictionary, 1960 edition:
Nehemiah 2:19:
• Sanballat the Horonite: the moon-god,- sin has given life. A Moabite.
• Tobiah the Ammonite: Yahweh is good.
• Geshem the Arabian: born in the rainy season. Descendant of Ishmael. Arabians are a family of tribes, (plural).
Judges 6:3; 7:12:
• Midian: strife. Descendant of Abraham from Keturah.
• Amalek, Descendant of Esau.
• The children of the east (plural). Associated with Balaam.
Daniel 11:41:
• Edom: red. Descendant of Esau.
• Moab: from father. Descendant of Lot.
• Ammon: paternal uncle. Descendants of Lot (plural).
Isaiah 11:14:
• Edom, Moab, children of Ammon (plural).
Numbers 22:4-5:
• Moab, Midian, Balaam of Pethor which is in the land of the children of his people (plural).
Revelation 16:12-13:
• Dragon: Spiritualism.
• Beast: Catholicism.
• False prophet: Apostate Protestantism (multiple churches, plural).
John 19:19-20:
• Hebrew: one on the other side, Abraham, Shem.
• Greek: sons of the Iortians, Japheth (plural).
• Latin: Roman: I have exalted, Babylon was founded by Nimrod, a descendant of Ham.
The Issue of the Law: The ancient enemies listed in Daniel 11:41 are a prophetic waymark identifying those who are in resistance to God's, final-warning message, as well as identifying where those who respond to the latter-rain message flee from. These enemies are mentioned in prophecies or types whenever a prediction or illustration identifying the time period of the loud cry is being presented. These scenarios consistently identify an issue concerning God's law which precedes the latter-rain movement.
Gideon had to tear down the altar of Baal. Before the rains came, Elijah had to demonstrate God's power in contrast to that of Jezebel's gods. Before the Promised Land came Mount Sinai. Before Pentecost came Gethsemane and the Cross. The prophecy of Isaiah, chapters 10 through 12, begins with the issue of an "unrighteous decree," and culminates in the latter rain.
The issue of the law precedes the latter rain, and confirms that the Sunday law in the United States has already been passed if those symbolized by Moab, Ammon, and Edom are escaping. Understanding what and who these three nations represent in the prophetic sequence, identifies the glorious land of verse 41 as the United States, for the United States is where the Sunday law issue begins.
Seizing the World Throne; Daniel 11:42:
Preview: In Daniel 11:42 we again see the king of the north using his hand to symbolize taking control. He is, once again, taking control of geographical areas. In verse 40, it was Eastern Europe; in verse 41, the U.S.A.; and in verse 42, Egypt. However, as in verse 40, this geographical area has the word countries connected with its description. Verse 41, pointing to the U.S.A., has countries supplied-but means many people. Nevertheless, in verses 40 and 42, the word and meaning is countries. Egypt in this verse stands for the entire world with all its countries. This verse points to the next movement after the United States passes a Sunday law and bows to Rome. It points to the pope bringing the world into harmony through his corrupt wine.
He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
The symbolic characteristics of the king of the south are understood by identifying the word south with Egypt, and then applying the atheistic, defiant attributes of Pharaoh, in order to identify Communism. Still we must consider the word used, and the context of the passage:
Why is it so hard to lead a self-denying, humble life? Because professed Christians are not dead to the world. It is easy living after we are dead. But many are longing for the leeks and onions of Egypt. They have a disposition to act and dress as much like the world as possible and yet go to heaven. Such climb up some other way. They do not enter through the strait gate and narrow way. Testimonies, vol. 1,131
I am filled with sadness when I think of our condition as a people. The Lord has not closed heaven to us, but our own course of continual backsliding has separated us from God. Pride, covetousness, and love of the world have lived in the heart without fear of banishment or condemnation.... The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating toward Egypt.... Have we not been seeking the friendship and applause of the world rather than the presence of Christ and a deeper knowledge of His will? Ibid., vol. 5, 217-218.
The plagues upon Egypt when God was about to deliver Israel were similar in character to those more terrible and extensive judgments which are to fall upon the world just before the final deliverance of God's people. The Great Controversy, 627- 628
Many are not growing strong, because they do not take God at His Word. They are conforming to the world. Every day they pitch their tents nearer to Egypt, when they should encamp a day's march nearer the heavenly Canaan. Signs of The Times, March 6, 1884.
The Lord God of Israel is to execute judgment upon the gods of this world, as upon the gods of Egypt. Manuscript Releases, vol. 10, 240.
Though close in identity, "south" and "Egypt" are still two different words. If Egypt represented no other symbol or figure or type in the Scriptures then it would always follow that Egypt represented the characteristics of a defiant Pharaoh. However, Egypt is more often used to symbolize the world than it is used to symbolize atheism.
The context of the passage under consideration points out that the next step for the Papacy, after passage of the Sunday law in the United States, is to move against the countries of the world. This is of course what Revelation and the Spirit of Prophecy teach will happen. Egypt is not Communism; Egypt is the world: How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Isaiah 14:12-14.
And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? Revelation 13:4.
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 2 Thessalonians 2:4.
Ever since his fall, Satan has been at work to establish himself as ruler of this earth. Review and Herald, March 9, 1886.
Sister White many times used the illustration of the joining of hands to symbolize agreement with the Papacy. This verse (Daniel 11:42) says he will stretch out his hand to the world (Egypt). The world, of course, has many countries, and they will all conform to Rome, for it states that the countries will not escape.
The Second Escape: The word escape in this passage has a little different meaning from the word escape in the previous verse. The last verse spoke of slipping out of his hand to be saved, or preserved. In this verse escape conveys the meaning of not finding any deliverance from the iron fist of Rome: escape-6413: tem. of 6412; deliverance; concr. an escaped portion: -deliverance, (that is) escape (-d), remnant. 6412: a refugee: -(that have) escape (-d, -th), fugitive. Strong's.
Is this order of events consistent with Adventist understanding? Does the United States, the glorious land, first submit to a Sunday law and then the world follows after? Yes: As America, the land of religious liberty, shall unite with the Papacy in forcing the conscience and compelling men to honor the false sabbath, the people of every country on the globe will be led to follow her example. Testimonies, vol. 6, 18
Foreign nations will follow the example of the United States. Though she leads out, yet the same crisis will come upon our people in all parts of the world. Ibid., 395.
First, the United States will pass a national Sunday law, and many people will be overthrown-many people, not many countries. Then the world will follow the United States' lead, and many countries-in fact, all countries will be overthrown.
The final movements will be rapid ones. The main focus of this prophecy is on the king of the north. During this time God's people will be receiving the latter rain, proclaiming the three angels' messages in the loud cry, and will be persecuted for not obeying the Sunday laws, but, most importantly, they will be reflecting the character of Jesus Christ to the world, and to the universe, amid the most trying circumstances in earth's history. Verse 42 introduces us to the pope in the process of bringing the world into harmony with the Papacy. Verse 43 builds upon that information, and speaks of the financial structure coming under the control of the pope, describing the time period during which he gains full control of the world. This is when the ten kings of Revelation 17:12-13 give their power unto the beast.
Verse 43 presents a symbolic division of the earth into two classes: Third World versus Western World; rich versus poor; free versus enslaved; and small versus great. Yet, this verse is definite-the whole world will come into step with the king of the north's final march.
Before we address verse 43 specifically, we need to consider the transition, which takes place after the three walls of verses 40-43 are removed. It was after pagan Rome conquered the three territories that it assumed control of the world, It was also after the three horns were conquered that papal Rome assumed control of the world, and (for the sake of comparison) it was until the Medo-Persia conquered three territories when it ruled the world.
In verse 42 we see the king of the north removing the third and final wall, which allows him to ascend to the throne of the world. At this point the king of the north ceases to be simply a church, and returns to the position of the ruling geopolitical power, which had been lost to him since 1798. This political restoration certainly moved forward when Mussolini deeded the Vatican property back to the Papacy in 1929, but the healing is not finished until the Papacy's scepter of authority matures to a point where religious persecution can once again be enforced as it was before 1798. In verse 43 the deadly wound is completely healed as represented by the king of the north taking control of the precious things of the world.
The Love of Money: Daniel 11:43
BUT he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps, Daniel 11:43. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Revelation 13:17. Shortly after the pope ascends to the throne of the world, he will take charge of the financial structure of the world. Revelation 18:17-19 uses ships to symbolize economic wealth. A quick perusal of Revelation 18, and other passages in Scripture dealing with the fall of Babylon, demonstrates that when modern Babylon, the king of the north, finally will be brought down, the whole economic structure of the earth will go with him. The control of the finances will identify its return to the position of the dominant geopolitical world power. This verse is pointing to the very time when these kings of the earth, in Revelation 17:12, give their power unto the beast. But who are the Libyans and the Ethiopians?
Rich and Poor: Ancient Egypt had two neighbors who had interesting histories. The Libyans, to the west of Egypt, lived on the fringe of the desert, and throughout their history cast a longing eye toward Egypt and the fertile Nile valley. They attempted to invade Egypt several times, but were repulsed. Modem Egypt symbolizes the world, and Libya symbolizes what we call today the Third World-the poor, downtrodden countries that long to move up to the standards of the affluent Western World.
But who was Ethiopia? Ancient Ethiopia included not only Nubia but also the part of Western Arabia bordering the Red Sea. The Egyptians always coveted Ethiopia because of the gold mines in its mountains, and its wealth in cattle, ivory, hides, and ebony, and because products from central Africa entered Egypt through Ethiopian traders. As modem Egypt represents the World, and Libya the poor, third-world countries, so Ethiopia represents the affluent Western World. This verse is telling us that the Papacy will obtain control of the entire world-everyone from rich to poor. It also adds that they will be at his steps.
At His Steps: steps-4703: from 6805; a step; fig. companionship:-going, step. 6805: a prim. root; to pace, i.e. step regularly; (upward) to mount; (along) to march; (down and caus.) to hurl: -bring, go, march (through), run over. Strong's.
To be at the steps of the king of the north is to march with him as he runs over the whole world. The whole world will be in companionship with him, but there is only one true unity that the wicked can achieve: With the ungodly there will be a deceptive harmony that but partially conceals a perpetual discord. In their opposition to the will and the truth of God they are united, while on every other point they are rent with hatred, emulation, jealousy, and deadly strife. Testimonies, vol. 5, 101
When the world comes into companionship and marches in Rome's steps, their only true unity will be in their hatred for the truth, especially as reflected in God's followers. The next verse speaks to that very agreement.
In Daniel 11:43 we see the king of the north, as the Papacy's deadly wound is healed, assuming control of the economic structure of the world. We are symbolically given a description of the rich affluent Ethiopian world, and the poor, underprivileged Libyan world. Is it a coincidence that as the pope makes his plans about running the world and applying his morally adjusted economy, he most definitely divides the world into rich and poor?
This verse is pointing to the time when the pope will take control of the world and will begin to demand obedience from all. Ethiopia and Libya symbolize the rich and the poor, the free and the bond, the small and the great, as they relate to Egypt: And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads. Revelation 13:16.
John and Daniel contrast the world in a way which agrees with the history of Ethiopia, Libya, and Egypt.
The Swelling [Loud] Cry: Daniel 11:44
BUT tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
In this verse tidings represent a message. This message will greatly disturb the king of the north. In fact, it will so disturb him that he will launch a great persecution. The key to the message which will infuriate him will be in the directions of east and north. These directions represent a message which will come from Christ. This verse is pointing to the loud cry message, which begins in earnest at the national Sunday law-as illustrated in verse 41.
East and North: The directions of east and north identify these tidings as a message from God:
And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. Revelation 7:2-3.
Soon there appears in the east a small black cloud, about half the size of a man's hand. It is the cloud which surrounds the Saviour and which seems in the distance to be shrouded in darkness. The people of God know this to be the sign of the Son of man. The Great Controversy, 640
Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.... I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon mortar, and as the potter treadeth clay. Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is righteous? yea, there is none that sheweth, yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that heareth your words. The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings. Isaiah 41:2, 25-27.
What was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit m the day of Pentecost? The glad tidings of a risen Saviour were earned to the uttermost parts of the inhabited world. The Acts of the Apostles, 48.
The sealing message is the message from the east. The righteous man from the east and north is Christ. The message of Christ that comes from the east and north is the good tidings of the "Lord our righteousness," which is, of course, the three angels' messages. It is the message by which, first, the church, and then the world, will be tested. Moreover, it is this message that will enrage the king of the north.
Once again, the final scenes will be rapid ones. The beginning of the latter rain will occur sometime shortly before the national Sunday law will be passed in the United States, but it will continue to accelerate and to grow until the close of human probation. The preceding verses illustrate the final steps of the Papacy; they have not focused specifically on what God's people are doing while the pope is taking control of the world but verse 44 does.
The tidings which come from the north and east are the glad tidings of Christ's righteousness that are swelling into a loud cry, and giving the world its final message of warning. This message will go forth as the pope takes control of the world. As he does so, he will begin to deal with the troublers in his midst, eventually leading to a worldwide death decree.
Martyrs: In this verse the pope and his allies go out to destroy and utterly make away many. The Hebrew, and most other translations, indicate an infinitive of these two words, (destroy and make away), leaving the verb "shall go," which speaks of intentions rather than actions. Adventist understanding, however, takes in both of these possibilities. As a result of the loud-cry message, which will be given in earnest at the passage of a national Sunday law, persecution will begin and eventually become more severe-including martyrdom. After probation for all the world closes, there will not be any more martyrs. This verse may then be speaking of the king of the north's intent to destroy all the faithful through the death decree, although it will never be put into effect, or it may be describing the actual martyrdom of the faithful before probation closes:
When this grand work is to take place in the battle, prior to the last closing conflict, many will be imprisoned, many will flee for their lives from cities and towns, and many will be martyrs for Christ's sake in standing in defense of the truth. Maranatha,199.
The whole world is to be stirred with enmity against Seventh-day Adventists because they will not yield homage to the Papacy by honoring Sunday, the institution of this anti-Christian power. It is the purpose of Satan to cause them to be blotted from the earth, in order that his supremacy of the world may not be disputed. Review and Herald, August 22, 1893.
The Most Vivid Presentation: The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger-a faith that will not faint though severely tried.... The "time of trouble, such as never was," is soon to open upon us; and we shall need an experience which we do not now possess and which many are too indolent to obtain. It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is not true of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal. The Great Controversy, 621-622.
I was pointed down to the time when the third angel's message was closing. The power of God had rested upon His people; they had accomplished their work and were prepared for the trying hour before them. They had received the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and the living testimony had been revived. The last great warning had sounded everywhere, and it had stirred up and enraged the inhabitants of the earth who would not receive the message. Early Writings, 279
The description of this chapter's final verse portrays the king of the north and the inhabitants of the earth in the position they have arrived at as probation closes. The king of the north had been trying to prevent the loud-cry message, coming from Christ through His people, from reaching the inhabitants of earth. Christ's people who proclaim this message are His church, the glorious holy mountain. The king of the north attempts to block this message by standing in front of its intended recipients, but the Euphrates is dried up. Babylon falls. He comes to his end with none to help, and he goes into perdition.
None to Help: Daniel 11:45
This final verse portrays the battle formation of Armageddon.
AND he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain [church of God]; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
Plant-5193: a prim. root; prop. to strike in, i.e. fix; spec. (lit. or fig.): -fasten, plant (-er). to plant tabernacles-168: from 166; a tent (as clearly; conspicuous from a distance): -covering, (dwelling palace-643: appar. of for. der; a pavilion or palace-tent:- palace. Strong's.
And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. Revelation 17:15.
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:23.
Between, Not In: The king of the north will place himself between the people giving the last warning message and the people who are to receive it. He will try at this point to block the message. The King James Version states he will plant "his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain." Yet most often, later versions translate this passage as, "he puts his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain." And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the seas and the glorious holy mount (Zion); yet he shall come to his end with none to help him. Daniel 11:45,
Amplified Version: And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him. Daniel 11:45, New King James Version.
Blocking the Message: The action of placing oneself between a message of God and its intended recipient is a common illustration in the Spirit of Prophecy, and is also used in verse 45:
Though being unable to expel God from His throne, Satan has charged God with satanic attributes and has claimed the attributes of God as his own. He is a deceiver, and through his serpentine sharpness, through his crooked practices he has drawn to himself the homage which man should have given to God, and has planted his satanic throne between the human worshiper and the divine Father. Manuscript Releases, vol. 7, 215.
Stand out of the way, Brethren. Do not interpose yourselves between God and His work. Ibid., vol. 16, 23 8.
Formality, worldly wisdom, worldly caution, worldly policy, will appear to many to be the very power of God, but when accepted, it stands as an obstacle to prevent God's light in warnings, reproof, and counsel from coming to the world. Selected Messages, book 2, 19
Just prior to the coming of the Son of man, there is-and has been for years-a determination on the part of the enemy to cast his hellish shadow right between man and his Saviour. Manuscript Releases, vol. 6, 7.
Satan will try to interpose himself and discourage the workers, so as to prevent them from giving the message of light and warning. Testimonies, vol. 7, 35
The things of the world are their idols. These interpose between the soul and Christ, and the solemn and awful realities that are crowding upon us are but dimly seen and faintly realized. Ibid. vol. 5, 456
He, the great Teacher, was in the world; He was the light of the world; but Satan interposed his hellish shadow between Him and the souls whom Christ came to save. The Signs of the Times, March 20, 1901.
We entreat of you who oppose the light of truth, to stand out of the way of God's people. Let Heaven-sent light shine forth upon them in clear and steady rays. Review and Herald, May 27, 1890.
Let no one run the risk of interposing himself between the people and the message of Heaven. The message of God will come to the people; and if there were no voice among men to give it, the very stones would cry out. Counsels to Writers and Editors, 38
The Sabbath is the Lord's test, and no man, be he king, priest, or ruler, is authorized to come between God and man. Testimonies, vol. 9, 234
But when one man allows another to step in between him and the duty that God has pointed out to him. . . . such a man, instead of growing and developing, will lose his spirituality. Ibid., 280.
God means just what He says. Man has interposed between God and the people, and the Lord has sent forth the third angel with the message. Ibid., vol. 8,
He Shall Come to His End "Yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him" is the announcement of the final fall of the king of the north-Babylon, the mother of harlots, papal Rome, the man of sin, Catholicism:
Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.... In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. Daniel 5:24-28, 30.
The final judgment of Babylon is a weighing in the balances of the sanctuary: For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? I Peter 4:17.
Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. Daniel 2:45.
And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. Daniel 8:23-25.
No human effort will stop the march of the king of the north. Only God will bring him down, and none shall help him. Praise the Lord!
King of the North [Further Analysis]:
The key to Daniel’s prophecies is located at the very opening verse of chapter one in which a northern enemy of Israel threatens God’s people and the sanctuary. Thus all powers introduced in Daniel can only be correctly identified in relationship to God’s people and the sanctuary and to introduce any power that does not threaten in this way is unwise. “To introduce any national power not directly involved with the Church of God is to miss the mark”.
It is true that Turkey lies north of Israel but so does Romania, Lithuania and the Arctic Eskimos. How far north should one go is not the question but rather who does the Old Testament consistently portray as threatening Israel of old from the north? Babylon is repeatedly so depicted .
That this is absolutely the correct approach is confirmed by Daniel’s prophetic sections which offer a consistent line-up of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and a fragmented empire in chapters 2, 7, 8 and 11 . Nowhere is the former land of Turkey (Hittites) depicted in the Old Testament as Israel’s northern enemy although the Hittites were certainly Israel’s enemy. To ‘spiritualize’ the Hittites into a latter day Turkish enemy of God’s people and the sanctuary flies in the face of the parallels of Daniel’s prophetic chapters:
That a ‘spiritual’ Babylon and a ‘spiritual’ Egypt can be safely applied to spiritual Israel (the Christian church) is supported by Revelation 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18: 2,10 for Babylon and Daniel 11:8, 42, 43; Revelation 11:8 for Egypt.
Daniel 2 Daniel 7 Daniel 8 Daniel 11 Application
Gold head 1st beast: Lion - - BABLYLON
Silver chest 2nd beast: Bear Ram Verses 1-2 MEDO-PERSIA
Brass girdle 3rd beast: Leopard Goat Verse 3-13 GREECE
Iron legs 4th beast: strange Beast Little horn Verses 14-35 ROME
Iron and clay feet 10 horns +little horn Little horn Verses 31-45 EUROPE, PAPACY
Wrong interpretations of Daniel 11 emerge when 4 important principles of interpreting prophecies are ignored:
1. The attack on the sanctuary and God’s people from a northern enemy depicted in the opening verses of chapter 1 sets the theme of Daniel’s prophecies particularly chapters 8 to 12. Creative interpretation of powers that do not affect God’s people and the sanctuary fails to mirror the prophet’s intent that the great controversy is between satanic powers and sanctuary truth.
2. Latter day application of Daniel 11:40-45 encapsulates the Israel of the church and thus her enemies are also world-wide in application. Full promulgation of the true gospel to the entire world to herald the Second Advent (Matt 24: 14) arouses a world-wide counter-response of false gospel promotion. To focus on one literal local country as a northern or southern power badly misses the mark.
3. Daniel’s prophecies (chapters 2, 7, 8 and 10-12) follow the principle of repetition and enlargement, thus the broad-brush picture of the feet of iron and clay as depicting pagan/papal Rome is enlarged by a more detailed view of a ten horned beast and little horn in chapter 7, a little horn in chapter 8 and a northern power in 11:31-45 are repetitions (parallels). To introduce a power foreign to chapters 2, 7 and 8 violates this parallelism.
4. All Daniel’s prophecies climax in the establishment of the kingdom of glory in the latter days. See 2: 28, 44, 45; 7:25-27; 8:14, 17, 19, 23-26; 11:40 to 12:4.
Daniel 11:14
Verse 14 is central to how the rest of the chapter is interpreted. Most commentators see Antiochus Epiphanes from this verse onwards but the following reveals this as erroneous. That Rome is in view here and is linked to the ‘time, times and dividing of time” of 7: 25 is evident from the following:
The expression in verse 14 “robbers of thy people” (KJV) or “men of violence among your people” (RSV) or “violent men of your people” (NJV and NIV) is literally rendered as “breakers (paras) of your people”. The word ‘paras’ is always used within Daniel to depict the 4th kingdom of Rome. See 2:40; 7:7, 19, 23; 8:10, 13 (compare Isaiah 16:4) Furthermore Daniel 12:7 is clearly linked to the little horn of 7:25 with synonyms such as ‘trample’, ‘destroy’ which link with the little horn of chapter 8 and the prince of 9:26. Thus the phrase “robbers (paras) of your people” introduces parallels limited to Rome and made evident in chapters 2, 7 and 8. It must also be remembered that the Syrian dictator Antiochus Epiphanes IV submitted to Roman terms and in his past he was a hostage in Italy. Ancient history allows us to safely view Palestine as being under the shadow of Rome and tells of a world where Rome (from verse 14 onwards) had become supreme. Rome is the central power here, not Antiochus IV and the ‘paras’ language is the DNA evidence within Daniel itself that such an expression always refers to the fourth kingdom.
Syria or Babylon:
Babylon always invaded Palestine from the north although it was geographically located North-East. However the Old Testament repeatedly refers to Babylon as Israel’s northern enemy , , , & . Furthermore Rome overshadowed regional affairs even during the times of the Syrian dictator Antiochus Epiphanes who had previously been a hostage in Italy and was forced to withdraw from Egypt under Roman pressure. Syria paid tribute to Rome and was a mere Roman vassal. Thus to suggest Syria or “the territory which constituted the northern divisions of Alexander’s empire” is the king of the north of Dan 11:40-45 not only overlooks the facts of history but also Daniel’s chronological shift from Greece to Rome in verse 14.
Our focus in these crisis-ridden last days must be on the King of Kings who alone can save us as individual penitents and that is done each moment of each day by a deliberate exercise of the will to choose Him over all alternatives.
King of the South [Further Analysis]:
Having established that the literal king of the north from verse 31 onwards is pagan Rome flowering into papal Rome and represented as “spiritual Babylon” in Revelation 14 and 18, we turn our attention to the king of the south
The overwhelming emphasis in Daniel 11 is on the king of the north which destroys the king of the south. Furthermore the book of Revelation focuses on spiritual Babylon with virtually no mention of the king of the south. Our focus should therefore not be on the king of the south other than to confirm the identity of the king of the north.
The key rule in Danielic prophetic interpretation is how earthly powers impacted on the people of God and His sanctuary . Any kingdom that fails to meet this fundamental test is not on Daniel’s radar. The north-south conflict of Daniel 11 describes two literal enemies of God’s people (Egypt and Babylon) who warred with God’s people and with each other. When this conflict is applied to the New Testament age, ‘Israel’ signifies the Israel of the church , , , & . thus making enemies of the church world-wide in application. That the Christian era is the primary focus in Daniel’s prophecies is obvious from the speed with which Daniel’s visions shift their focus from Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece to dilate in detail on powers spanning the Christian era. Dan 11:22 introduces the Christian era by reference to the breaking of the prince of the covenant. Thus verse 40 onwards is concerned with latter day events and not literal historical events although the old nomenclature is retained.
We have already seen how the main players on Daniel’s prophetic canvas are Babylon, Medo Persia, Greece and Rome pagan and papal and how by repetition and enlargement, these are offered in chapters 2, 7 and 8.
Uriah Smith’s honest comment “then we are left without any principle to guide us in the interpretation” highlights the need for a principle. Such a principle is now available, namely the one laid down in Daniel 1:1-2: that the northern enemy of God’s people and His sanctuary is Babylon, the latter day fulfillment of which is depicted in Revelation 14, 17 and 18. He is perfectly correct in seeing the characteristics of 1798 atheistic France as the modern day ‘Egypt’ (king of south) but to offer Turkey as the modern day king of the north violates the nomenclature of Daniel’s emphasis that it oppose God’s people and His sanctuary.
The modern day king of the north is spiritual Babylon so vividly depicted in the Book of Revelation and abundantly agrees with the Danielic theme that God’s people and His sanctuary are targeted.
Our focus in these crisis-ridden last days must be on the King of Kings who alone can save us as individual penitents and that is done each moment of each day by a deliberate exercise of the will to choose Him over all alternatives.
PRESENTATION OF DANIEL CHAPTER 11
ON 11 3/9/2011
AT TEGETA SDA CHURCH,
DAR ES SALAAM
TANZANIA
For Further Lessons on Jesus’ Everlasting Gospel
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