Daniel Chapter 11 A Study on: The King of the North

The King of the North

By Tony Dugo

There is a saying that goes “you can give a man a theory, but the facts will come trooping in
afterwards.”

History and prophecy go hand-in-hand, and are inseparable, but the sad situation within our
denomination today is that many of our brothers and sisters misunderstand how history
proves prophecy and how it charts the way for future events that will be fulfilled. And
because of our condition as a people God sends us strong admonition to wake us up. “Hear
the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the
inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the
land. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected
knowledge,
I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten
the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:1, 6

How do I know this?

It is because the pen of Inspiration says, “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. By
uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly
the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular
side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers
to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren.
When Sabbathkeepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates
are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports
and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them.” GC 608.2

In other words, the unconverted in the church will join with the Sunday-keepers when the
Image of the Beast System is being setup, and also when the Time of Trouble begins. Then
comes the Loud Cry to be proclaimed by the 144,000 that are delivered (Dan. 12:1), who
will be given the Pentecostal power to gather in the Great Multitude.

Probation closes for the church first (Dan.12:1; 1 Peter 4:17), and then the Great
Multitude’s probation will close after the harvest of the Great Multitude is complete. Hence,
two probations, one for the church, and one for the Great Multitude, then the seven last
plagues are poured out and Jesus comes after the seventh plague.

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EW 85.2, 3 “On page 33 is given the following: ‘I saw that the holy Sabbath is, and will be,
the separating wall between the true Israel of God and unbelievers; and that the Sabbath is
the great question to unite the hearts of God's dear, waiting saints. I saw that God had
children who do not see and keep the Sabbath. They have not rejected the light upon it. And
at the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we
went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully.’ This view was given in 1847 when
there were but very few of the Advent brethren observing the Sabbath, and of these but few
supposed that its observance was of sufficient importance to draw a line between the people
of God and unbelievers. Now the fulfilment of that view is beginning to be seen. ‘The
commencement of that time of trouble,’ here mentioned does not refer to the time when
the plagues shall begin to be poured out, but to a short period just before they are poured
out, while Christ is in the sanctuary. At that time, while the work of salvation is closing,
trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so
as not to prevent the work of the third angel. At that time the ‘latter rain,’ or refreshing
from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third
angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall
be poured out.”

The book of Daniel reveals historically and prophetically God’s dealing with all nations.
Each successive world power in the prophetic chain had an opportunity to know the divine
will of God. Each nation’s rise and fall is based upon their adherence to, or the rejecting of
God’s law. The entire chain of events foretold in Daniel eleven is devoted to the king of the
south and to the king of the north. The acts of the king of the north are especially emphasized
showing that the whole prophetic account is given predominantly to expose his meddling
with holy things of God.

“The history of nations that one after another have occupied their allotted time and place,
unconsciously witnessing to the truth of which they themselves knew not the meaning,
speaks to us. To every nation and to every individual of today God has assigned a place in
His great plan. Today men and nations are being measured by the plummet in the hand of
Him who makes no mistake. All are by their own choice deciding their destiny, and God is
overruling all for the accomplishment of His purposes. The history which the great I AM
has marked out in His word, uniting link after link in the prophetic chain, from eternity in
the past to eternity in the future, tells us where we are today in the procession of the ages,
and what may be expected in the time to come.” Ed. p. 178.

Most Bible students know that Sister White was given but limited knowledge regarding
Daniel eleven, therefore, I would like to share a few notes of interest from the Spirit of
Prophecy along with proven historical facts that you will find to be true. The world at large
is well aware of the present turmoil now existing in the Middle East region. And as believers,
we need to examine closely both the Biblical proof and History’s record in applying the

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information to the scene now unfolding before us. When the weight of prophetic evidence
is considered, one cannot deny the already proven facts of History, as clearly revealed. For
this reason, the intent of this publication is to alert the reader to these conclusive facts, which
undeniably hold authority over any former theories.

Daniel eleven verse one begins with Darius the Mede, and verse two is about the conflict of
Persia and Greece. Verse three is about “a mighty king,” which is Alexander the Great who
conquered Persia. Verse four is the death of Alexander the Great and his kingdom divided
to his four generals. Verse five begins the introduction of the “first king of the south.”

The question that arises out of chapter eleven is who controls the “glorious land”
(Palestine) and Egypt?
Most Seventh-day Adventists agree that Ptolemy was the first “king of the south” of verse
5, and Pagan Rome was the first “king of the north” of verse 15. Palestine and Egypt is the
main point consistent all through Daniel 11, it is the key.

When you look closely at the “king of the south” and “king of the north,” these two powers
alternately occupy these territories. Then why not follow history? Rome lost Palestine and
Egypt sometime in history, and then another power followed and so on, until you get to the
last “king of the north.”

Spirit of Prophecy does say that the faithful people of God will be “convinced by the weight
of evidence.-God is presenting to the minds of men divinely appointed precious gems of
truth, appropriate for our time. God has rescued these truths from the companionship of
error, and has placed them in their proper frame-work. When these truths are given their
rightful position in God’s great plan, when they are presented intelligently and earnestly,
and with reverential awe, by the Lord’s servants, many will conscientiously believe because
of the weight of evidence, without waiting for every supposed difficulty which may suggest
itself to their minds, to be removed.--Manuscript 8a, 1888.” Ev. p. 122.

Therefore, we must look closely at Daniel eleven and find what the “king of the south” and
“king of the north” have in common. The Bible tells us, “Prove all things; hold fast that
which is good.” 1 Thess. 5:21.

The Glorious Land, and Egypt

First, let us begin by looking at what the “king of the north” does in Daniel 11:40-42, “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. 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. He shall stretch
forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.”

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From these verses it is shown that the “king of the north” takes the “glorious land”–Palestine
and “Egypt” from the “king of the south.”

The Bible tells us to compare scripture with scripture. “For precept must be upon precept,
precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” Isaiah
28:10.

Then let us compare verses: 40, 41 with 15, 16. Daniel 11:15, 16 says, “So the king of the
north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the
south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to
withstand. But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall
stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be
consumed.”

What does the king of the north take away from the king of the south? The “glorious land.”
The Bible reveals this transition between the kings for control in that region. When “the king
of the north” takes possession of the “glorious land” twice according to verses 15, 16 and
40, 41, then it proves that “the king of the south” had the glorious land and Egypt, and lost
it twice.

What and where is the “glorious land” that the “king of the north” takes away from the “king
of the south”? Here is what the Seventh-day Adventists Bible Commentary Vol. 4, page
869 says – “Glorious land. That is, Palestine (see on ch. 8:9). According to the view that the
Romans are introduced in Dan. 11:14, the conquest of Palestine here described is believed
to be that of Pompey…”

The Lord Himself calls this the “glory of all lands.” “And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord
GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of
Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand
unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God; In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto
them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing
with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.” Ezek. 20: 5, 6.

Ptolemy and Pagan Rome

The control of both Palestine and Egypt begins with the Ptolemy Dynasty. This is what
Daniel 11:5 says, “And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he
shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.”

The Seventh-day Adventists Bible Commentary Vol. 4, page 866 says – “The king of the
south from this point on through much of the chapter, the prophecy focuses on two kingdoms
emerging from Alexander’s empire with which God’s people, the Jews, had most to do.
These were Syria, ruled by Seleucids, and Egypt, ruled by the Ptolemies. From the
geographical standpoint of Palestine, the former was north [Seleucids], and the latter, south

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[Ptolemies]. The original Greek translation, in fact, has ‘king of Egypt’ for ‘king of the
south;’ also verse 8 points to Egypt as king of the south.”

Ptolemy Empire

S.D.A. Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, pp. 824, 825

Note, in verses 41, 42, “the king of the north” takes Palestine and Egypt. It is during the
reign of these successive kings that they alternately control both Palestine and Egypt. The
Bible and history reveals that the first “king of the south” in verse 5 is the Ptolemy Dynasty.
The first “king of the north” according to verses 15 and 16 is the Roman Empire, which
conquered Palestine in 63 BC and Egypt in 31 BC.
The “king of the north” in verses 15 and 16, the Roman Empire, takes possession of the
“glorious land.”
And again, the “king of the north” in verse 40, 41, had to take the “glorious land” away a
second time. The Roman Empire lost reign sometime after verses 15 and 16, to the “king
of the south.”
In other words, the “king of the north,” the Roman Empire, lost Palestine and Egypt
somewhere between verses 22-39. This is where most people begin to try and guess the
identity of the next king, but as you follow history it will reveal the identity of the next “king
of the south.”

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The Rise of the Ottoman Empire
It should be obvious that the “glorious land”–Palestine, and Egypt is the key in hand. Then
let the pen of prophecy (Dan. 11) be traced on the map of history to know who the successive
rulers were of Palestine and Egypt.
Here is what history recorded: “In A.D. 395 the Roman Empire split into eastern and western
halves, with the west under severe pressure from the Barbarians. Rome was sacked in 410
by the Visigoths, and western empire fell to German invaders in 476; the east continued as
the Christian Byzantine Roman Empire until 1453.” Britannica Encyclopedia 2004 CD-
ROM.
Though Rome was split in two halves, the Eastern half still continued to occupy Palestine
and Egypt during the Christianized Byzantine period from about 313-636 A.D.

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Byzantine Empire around 550 A.D.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Byzantium550.png

History explains further what begins to happen: “From 637 A.D. it (Jerusalem) was ruled by
various Muslim dynasties, except for short periods during the Crusades. Rule by the Ottoman
Empire ended in 1917, and the city (Jerusalem) became the capital of the British mandate of
Palestine.” Britannica Encyclopedia 2004 CD-ROM.
The Roman grip on Palestine and Egypt fell to Muslims that controlled that region up to
about 1919. From
637 to 1095 various Muslim dynasties conquered the Middle East, but it was the Ottoman
Empire from 1095-1917 that controlled BOTH Palestine and Egypt when they were attacked
by the “king of the north”– Papal Rome through the Crusaders.
The Ottoman Empire was the next ruling power that controlled both Palestine and Egypt,
which came after the Roman Empire. There is no misconstruing the Historical facts.
Daniel 11:25 says, “And he [king of the north] shall stir up his power and his courage
against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred
up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall
forecast devices against him.”
Daniel says in the verse 25, “he” will attempt to take it back. Pagan Rome lost the title “king
of the north” and the title passed to the Papacy because the papacy instigated the crusades.
“And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south?”

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The Crusades instigated by Papal Rome
The “he” is the “king of the north” because he is coming against the “king of the south.”
This is what the Bible says about this “king of the north.” The diverse beast of Daniel 7: 7,
8; 8:9-12 is Rome in three phases: pagan, papal and Rome in the present unstable world.
The reason for the three phases is that the dream of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue, which reveals
the feet as part iron and clay, “partly strong, and partly broken” (the present unstable world).
The metal iron, symbolizes Rome, just like the Gold symbolizes Babylon, the silver–Medo-
Persia, the brass– Grecia.

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Babylon

Medo-Persia

Grecia

Pagan Rome
Papal Rome

Present Unstable
World

When pagan Rome collapsed, her title as “king of the north” was passed to the second phase–
Papal Rome. History records that the Papal system was in power by 538 A.D. It was years
later, 1095 A.D. that the first crusade began. “He (the king of the north) shall stir up his
power and his courage against the king of the south…. but he shall not stand.” History
corroborates with prophecy because the Ottoman Empire was in power and controlled both
Palestine and Egypt at the time of the Crusades.
Here is what history records; “The Crusades were seen by many of their participants as a
means of redemption and expiation for sins. Between 1095, when the First Crusade was
launched by Pope Urban II at the Council of Clermont, and 1291, when the Latin Christians
were finally expelled from their kingdom in Syria, there were numerous expeditions to the
Holy Land, to Spain, and even to the Baltic; the Crusades continued for several centuries
after 1291, usually as military campaigns intended to halt or slow the advance of Muslim
power or to conquer pagan areas. The Crusaders initially enjoyed success, founding a
Christian state in Palestine and Syria, but the continued growth of Islamic states ultimately
reversed those gains. By the 14th century the Ottoman Turks had established themselves in
the Balkans and would penetrate deeper into Europe despite repeated efforts to repulse
them.” Britannica Encyclopedia 2004 CD-ROM.

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Verse 25 refers to the Ottoman Empire and the Crusaders. The papacy used the civil arm to
try to conquer
Palestine, but only captured Jerusalem for a short time. Other crusades to Palestine were
unsuccessful.

Verse 25 “… but he” (king of the north) “shall not stand.” The Muslim Dynasties reigned
for about 1300 years throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa.

History records the truth with the key–“the glorious land” (Palestine), and Egypt. With this
key in our hand we can now unlock Heaven’s storehouse of truth. We can trace the pen of
prophecy on the map of history, and know without a doubt who these successive kings are.

From this point forward we have learned that the first “king of the south” in verse 5 is the
Ptolemy Dynasty. The first “king of the north” in verse 15 is the Roman Empire. The
second “king of the south,” in verse 25, is the Ottoman Empire.

Through Inspiration Daniel made no mistake in writing the course of history of these kings.
To disagree with Daniel or history will lead to a losing argument because prophecy and
history go hand–in–hand.

Here is what Inspiration says about history and prophecy: “…All that prophecy has foretold
as coming to pass, until the present time, has been traced on the pages of history, and we
may be assured that all which is yet to come will be fulfilled in its order. The final overthrow
of all earthly dominions is plainly foretold in the word of truth. In the prophecy uttered when
sentence from God was pronounced upon the last king of Israel is given the message: ‘Thus
saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: . . . exalt him that is low,
and abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more,
until He come whose right it is; and I will give it Him.’ Ezekiel 21:26, 27. The crown
removed from Israel passed successively to the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece,
and Rome. God says, ‘It shall be no more, until He come whose right it is; and I will give it
Him.’ That time is at hand. Today the signs of the times declare that we are standing on the
threshold of great and solemn events. “Everything in our world is in agitation. Before our
eyes is fulfilling the Saviour’s prophecy of the events to precede His coming: ‘Ye shall hear
of wars and rumors of wars. . . . Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.’
Matthew 24:6, 7. The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. Rulers and
statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all
classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching
the strained, restless relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that
is taking possession of every earthly element, and they recognize that something great and
decisive is about to take place--that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.”
Education, pp. 178,179.

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Sister White makes it very clear that the pen of inspiration is traced on the map of history.
When we apply this simple rule, then we will have a correct understanding of this prophecy
of Daniel 11. The same is true with Daniel 2, 7, 8 and 9. History cannot be changed.

Note, the Papacy could not gain control of Palestine through the crusaders, and never
controlled Egypt, but the Papacy did do “mischief and speaks lies” (verse 27) against its
own people and persecuted many Christians, and the Papacy was against the “holy covenant”
(verses 28-30, 32), and “they shall pollute the sanctuary” and took away the daily (verse
31).

What is the key? “glorious land” (Palestine) and Egypt.

Sometime in history the Ottoman Empire declined and another Empire acquired Palestine
and Egypt.

This brings us down to verse 40, concerning the “king of the north,” which takes away the
“glorious land” in verse 41, from the “king of the south.”

Here is what took place in history. “The Ottoman power began to decline in the late 16th
century after the imperial fleet was destroyed at the Battle of Lepanto (1571). Ottoman forces
repeatedly besieged Vienna. Their final effort at taking the Austrian capital in 1683 failed.
That failure and subsequent losses led them to relinquish Hungary in 1699. Corruption and
decadence gradually undermined the government. In the 18th century the Russo-Turkish
Wars and wars with Austria and Poland further weakened the empire, which in the 19th
century came to be called the ‘sick man of Europe.’ Most of its remaining European territory
was lost in the Balkan Wars (1912–13). It sided with Germany in World War I (1914–18);
postwar treaties dissolved the empire, and in 1922 the sultanate was abolished by Mustafa
Kemal Atatürk, who proclaimed the Republic of Turkey the following year.” Britannica
Encyclopedia 2004 CD-ROM.

The British Empire

History goes on to explain further what became of the Ottoman Empire. “… In the 19th-
century European partition of Africa, Britain acquired Nigeria, Egypt, the territories that
would become British East Africa, and part of what would become the Union (later
Republic) of South Africa. After World War I, Britain secured mandates to German East
Africa, part of the Cameroons, part of Togo, German South-West Africa, Mesopotamia,
Palestine, and part of the German Pacific islands.” Britannica Encyclopedia 2004 CD-
ROM.

Passing from the “king of the south,” the Ottoman Empire to the “king of the north,” the
British Empire by the British Mandates, Britain secured most of the Middle East–in
particular Palestine and Egypt. In fact, Britain and France redrew the boundary lines for
the Middle East to divide up the countries into their current states.

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The Bible and history reveal that these four Empires–Ptolemy, Rome, Ottoman and Britain
are the successive empires that controlled both Palestine and Egypt during their reign. The
book of Daniel gives us the key that unlocks the prophecy. The key is “glorious land”
(Palestine) and Egypt. It is these kings of the south and the north that alternately controlled
Palestine and Egypt.

The last verse of Daniel 11:45 is yet to be fulfilled because it says “he shall plant the
tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come
to his end, and none shall help him.”

Historical evidence proves that the “king of the north” in verse 41, had lost the title after
England terminated its Mandates with what is known today as Palestine, Egypt, Jordan and
Saudi Arabia. “But these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief
of the children of Ammon.”

When Britain terminated the British Mandates Israel became a state, then the title was given
to another power. The title “king of the north” is passed on similar to the time when Pagan
Rome passed the title to Papal Rome from the mother to daughter.

Who is the daughter of Great Britain today?

The United States

James White wrote the following, “…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, 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.”A Word to the Little Flock, pp. 8, 9.

Note that Brother White wrote that the last power of Daniel 11:45 and the two horn beast of
Rev. 13:11-18 bears the number “666.” All three are one and the same power.

Here is what the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary Vol. 7, p. 823 says about the
number “666,” “…The principle exponent of this interpretation was Andrew Helwig (c.
1572-1643; see L. E. Froom, The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2, pp. 605-608). Many
since his day have adopted this interpretation. Inasmuch as this commentary identifies the
beast as the papacy, it also accepts this view as being the best thus far presented, though
recognizing that there may be more implied in the cryptogram than this interpretation
provides.”

Note that the interpretation by Andrew Helwig concerning the papacy bearing the number
“666” did not originate with the Seventh-day Adventists Denomination because this
application was given back in 1572-1643. The SDA Church had its beginnings in 1844.

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What does inspiration say?

“The Bible must not be interpreted to suit the ideas of men, however long they may have
held these ideas to be true. We are not to accept the opinion of commentators as the voice of
God; they were erring mortals like ourselves. God has given reasoning powers to us as well
as to them. We should make the Bible its own expositor.” TM, 106.

Is the SDA Bible commentary inspired?

No, Inspiration puts it on the “two horn beast” of Revelation 13:11-18. Brother White is
writing about the “king of the north” in Daniel 11:45. He also applies the two horn beast of
Revelation 13:11-18, and his number “666” as one and the same power. Spirit of Prophecy
says that the two horn beast power is the United States.

History reveals the successive powers that controlled Palestine and Egypt. The Scriptures
show that the United States is the last power to control not only Palestine and Egypt, but
most of the Middle East. Nevertheless, “he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.”

“It is necessary that our unity today be of a character that will bear the test of trial. . . . We
have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and Heaven alone are infallible.
Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion
to change an opinion, will be disappointed. As long as we hold to our own ideas and opinions
with determined persistency, we cannot have the unity for which Christ prayed. When a
brother receives new light upon the Scriptures, he should frankly explain his position, and
every minister should search the Scriptures with the spirit of candor to see if the points
presented can be substantiated by the inspired word. ‘The servant of the Lord must not strive;
but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose
themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the
truth.’ 2 Timothy 2:24, 25.” CET 203.

Sister White substantiated James White’s statements out of “A Word to the Little Flock.” If
not, she would have corrected him on his mistakes. Therefore, what he wrote is correct. Note
the following quotations where Sister White identifies this last power.

“But the beast with lamblike horns was seen ‘coming up out of the earth.’ Instead of
overthrowing other powers to establish itself, the nation thus represented must arise in
territory preciously unoccupied and grow up gradually and peacefully. It could not, then,
arise among the crowded and struggling nationalities of the Old World--that turbulent sea of
‘peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.’ It must be sought in the Western
Continent.

“What nation of the New World was in 1798 rising into power, giving promise of strength
and greatness, and attracting the attention of the world? The application of the symbol admits

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of no question. One nation, and only one, meets the specifications of this prophecy; it points
unmistakably to the United States of America.

“‘And he had two horns like a lamb.’ The lamblike horns indicate youth, innocence, and
gentleness, fitly representing the character of the United States when presented to the
prophet as ‘coming up’ in 1798….

“…Republicanism and Protestantism became the fundamental principles of the nation.
These principles are the secret of its power and prosperity. The oppressed and downtrodden
throughout Christendom have turned to this land with interest and hope. Millions have
sought its shores, and the United States has risen to a place among the most powerful nations
of the earth.

“But the beast with lamblike horns ‘spake as a dragon. And he [United States] exerciseth all
the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein
to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed; . . . saying to them that dwell on
the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, [set up a system just like what the
papacy had] which had the wound by a sword, and did live.’ Revelation 13:11-14.

“The lamblike horns and dragon voice of the symbol point to a striking contradiction
between the professions and the practice of the nation thus represented. The ‘speaking’ of
the nation is the action of its legislative and judicial authorities. [The United States through
the legislative and judicial system enforces a Sunday law, not the Papacy.] By such action it
will give the lie to those liberal and peaceful principles which it has put forth as the
foundation of its policy. The prediction that it will speak ‘as a dragon’ and exercise ‘all the
power of the first beast’ plainly foretells a development of the spirit of intolerance and
persecution that was manifested by the nations represented by the dragon and the leopardlike
beast. And the statement that the beast with two horns ‘causeth the earth and them which
dwell therein to worship the first beast’ indicates that the authority of this nation is to be
exercised in enforcing some observance which shall be an act of homage to the papacy.”
GC, 440-442.

“The prophecy of Revelation 13 declares that the power represented by the beast with
lamblike horns shall cause ‘the earth and them which dwell therein’ to worship the papacy -
-there symbolized by the beast ‘like unto a leopard.’ The beast with two horns is also to say
‘to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast;’ and,
furthermore, it is to command all, ‘both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond,’ to
receive the mark of the beast [Revelation 13:11-16]. It has been shown that the United States
is the power represented by the beast with lamblike horns, and that this prophecy will be
fulfilled when the United States shall enforce Sunday observance, which Rome claims
as the special acknowledgment of her supremacy. But in this homage to the papacy the
United States will not be alone.” GC, 578, 579.

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Inspiration says that it is the United States that enforces the mark, which is Sunday
observance. This is an act of worshiping the papacy, giving tribute or homage. When the
United States enforces the Sunday law then Apostate Protestantism, Catholicism and
Spiritualism reign as a three-fold power for a short period of time.

Inspiration says, “by the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law
of God, our nation [the United States] 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. Through the two great errors,
the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his
deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of
sympathy with Rome. 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. . . .
Papists, Protestants, and worldling will alike accept the form of godliness without the power,
and they will see in this union a grand movement for the conversion of the world and the
ushering in of the long-expected millennium. When our nation [the United States] shall
so abjure the principles of its government as to enact a Sunday law, Protestantism will
in this act join hands with popery; it will be nothing else than giving life to the tyranny
which has long been eagerly watching its opportunity to spring again into active despotism.”
Maranatha 190.

“God has revealed what is to take place in the last days, that His people may be prepared
to stand against the tempest of opposition and wrath. Those who have been warned of the
events before them are not to sit in calm expectation of the coming storm, comforting
themselves that the Lord will shelter His faithful ones in the day of trouble. We are to be as
men waiting for their Lord, not in idle expectancy, but in earnest work, with unwavering
faith. It is no time now to allow our minds to be engrossed with things of minor importance.
While men are sleeping, Satan is actively arranging matters so that the Lord’s people may
not have mercy or justice. The Sunday movement is now making its way in darkness.
The leaders are concealing the true issue, and many who unite in the movement do not
themselves see whither the undercurrent is tending. Its professions are mild and
apparently Christian, but when it shall speak it will reveal the spirit of the dragon. It
is our duty to do all in our power to avert the threatened danger. We should endeavor to
disarm prejudice by placing ourselves in a proper light before the people. We should bring
before them the real question at issue, thus interposing the most effectual protest against

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measures to restrict liberty of conscience. We should search the Scriptures and be able to
give the reason for our faith. Says the prophet: ‘The wicked shall do wickedly: and none of
the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.’” 5T 452.

Sister White wrote in 7BC, 977, that the “mark of the beast not yet applied. Sundaykeeping
is not yet the mark of the beast, and will not be until the decree goes forth causing men to
worship this idol sabbath. The time will come when this day will be the test, but that time
has not come yet.”

The Spirit of Prophecy has many more quotations proving that it is through the Protestants
of the United
States that the Sunday law will be enforced. It is this last power, the United States that
inherits the title “king of the north” and the number “666.” This reference is worth
emphasizing twice because it is important what James White wrote, “…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.” He is referring to Daniel 11:45.

“This power is the last that treads down the true church of God: and as the true church is still
trodden down, 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.”A Word to the Little Flock,
pp. 8, 9.

This “beast with two horns,” the United States and his “mark”, Sunday, bear the number
“666.” Since the “number of a man,” means “the beast represents a human
organization.” Seventh-day Adventists Bible Commentary Vol. 7, p. 824.

Another interesting fact to remember is that man was created on the sixth day of creation.
And since six is not a complete number, then the number six must apply to man.

Then, “count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man.” In other words, the
United States represents a man made institution, led by a man whose influence goes far and
wide throughout the earth. It is through this institution that a man enforces his mark, Sunday
keeping.

It cannot be said of the leopard-like beast of Rev. 13:1-10, that he is represented by a man
because the leopard-like beast represents many nations, the entire world in their time, both
civil and religious.

Inspiration states that by the “law of the land” the Law of God will be made void. “…In
exalting an institution of man above the institution ordained of God, they show contempt for
the great Lawgiver, and refuse His sign or seal (RH Nov. 5, 1889).” 7BC 977.

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The Bible says, “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: 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. Here is

wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number
of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” Revelation13:16-18.

US S

NT U

IA N

The two T T and his D

Horned beast E E mark A

DS Y

________________

66 6 equals “666”

Since prophecy reveals that the beast with “two horns like a lamb” is the United States,
which is already in existence and “his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” The word
“and” is significant in the fact that it means “in addition to,” or “added later.” And since
“Sundaykeeping is not yet the mark of the beast,” then the number “666” is not made up
until Sunday keeping is enforced.

Therefore the number “666” cannot apply to the papacy because inspiration puts it on the
United States, not on the thoughts of Andrew Helwig, Uriah Smith or any other theory.

Spirit of Prophecy states the following, “in chapter 13 (verses 1-10) is described another
beast, ‘like unto a leopard,’ to which the dragon gave ‘his power, and his seat, and great
authority.’ This symbol, as most Protestants have believed, represents the papacy, which
succeeded to the power and seat and authority once held by the ancient Roman Empire.”
GC, 439.

Here Inspiration says that most Protestants identify the “leopard like beast” as the papacy.
She further explains that the leopard like beast was to be in power for a period of time. “The
forty and two months are the same as the ‘time and times and the dividing of time,’ three
years and a half, or 1260 days, of Daniel 7-- the time during which the papal power was to
oppress God’s people. This period, as stated in preceding chapters, [the Great Controversy]
began with the supremacy of the papacy, A.D. 538, and terminated in 1798. At that time
the pope was made captive by the French army, the papal power received its deadly wound,
and the prediction was fulfilled, ‘He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity.’” GC,
439.

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From 1798 to 1929 the papacy was not in power. The papacy had “power for a period of
time.” It was not until 1929 that the papacy was restored through the “Lateran Treaty,” which
states, “the Vatican agreed to recognize the state of Italy, with Rome as its capital, in
exchange for formal establishment of Roman Catholicism as the state religion of Italy,
institution of religious instruction in the public schools, the banning of divorce, and
recognition of papal sovereignty over Vatican City and the complete independence of the
pope. A second concordat in 1985 ended Catholicism’s status as the state religion and
discontinued compulsory religious education.” Encyclopedia Britannica 2004 CD-ROM.

Even though the papacy was recognized as a papal sovereignty, the papacy has never
regained her full power that was lost in 1798. Inspiration says we should have “less to say
in regards to the papacy.”

“God’s Spirit has illuminated every page of Holy Writ, but there are those upon whom it
makes little impression, because it is imperfectly understood. When the shaking comes, by
the introduction of false theories, these surface readers, anchored nowhere, are like shifting
sand. They slide into any position to suit the tenor of their feelings of bitterness. . . . Daniel
and Revelation must be studied, as well as the other prophecies of the Old and New
Testaments. Let there be light, yes, light, in your dwellings. For this we need to pray. The
Holy Spirit, shining upon the sacred page, will open our understanding, that we may know
what is truth. . . . There is need of a much closer study of the word of God; especially should
Daniel and the Revelation have attention as never before in the history of our work. We may
have less to say in some lines, in regard to the Roman power and the papacy; but we should
call attention to what the prophets and apostles have written under the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit has so shaped matters, both in the giving of the prophecy and
in the events portrayed, as to teach that the human agent is to be kept out of sight, hid in
Christ, and that the Lord God of heaven and His law are to be exalted. Read the book of
Daniel. Call up, point by point, the history of the kingdoms there represented. Behold
statesmen, councils, powerful armies, and see how God wrought to abase the pride of men,
and lay human glory in the dust. . . . The light that Daniel received from God was given
especially for these last days.” TM, 112, 113.

Does this mean that we should pay no attention to the papacy?

By no means! The papacy will instruct the Protestants how to rule with an iron hand.

“Marvelous in her shrewdness and cunning is the Roman Church. She can read what is to
be. She bides her time, seeing that the Protestant churches are paying her homage in their
acceptance of the false sabbath and that they are preparing to enforce it by the very means
which she herself employed in bygone days. Those who reject the light of truth will yet seek
the aid of this self-styled infallible power to exalt an institution that originated with her. How
readily she [the papacy] will come to the help of Protestants in this work it is not

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difficult to conjecture. Who understands better than the papal leaders how to deal with
those who are disobedient to the church?” GC, 580.

The time is near that the United States will bring to the forefront the issue of enforcing the
Sunday observance and that the law of God will be trampled upon.

“The conflict is between the requirements of God and the requirements of the beast. The first
day, a Papal institution which directly contradicts the fourth commandment, is yet to be
made a test by the twohorned beast. And then the fearful warning from God declares the
penalty of bowing to the beast and his image. They shall drink the wine of the wrath of God,
which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation.” 4bSG, 54.

“The time is coming when we cannot sell at any price. The decree will soon go forth
prohibiting men to buy or sell of any man save him that hath the mark of the beast. We came
near having this realized in California a short time since; but this was only the threatening
of the blowing of the four winds. As yet they are held by the four angels. We are not just
ready. There is a work yet to be done, and then the angels will be bidden to let go, that the
four winds may blow upon the earth. That will be a decisive time for God’s children, a time
of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. Now is our opportunity to work.” 5T,
152.

“The world is stirred with the spirit of war. The prophecy of the eleventh chapter of Daniel
has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the
prophecies will take place.” 9T, 14.

The British relinquished its mandates of the Middle East territories because of the continual
fighting between Israelis and Arabs. Since the termination of the mandates the United States
has committed to support and protect Israel by becoming her protectorate. When the British
Empire gave up these territories the title “king of the north” was passed on to the United
States.

Teaching with Documents Lesson Plan: The U.S. Recognition of the State of
Israel https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/us-israel/

“In 1917 Chaim Weizmann, scientist, statesperson, and Zionist, persuaded the British
government to issue a statement favoring the establishment of a Jewish national home in
Palestine. The statement, which became known as the Balfour Declaration, was, in part,
payment to the Jews for their support of the British against the Turks during World War I.
After the war, the League of Nations ratified the declaration and in 1922 appointed Britain
to rule Palestine. This course of events caused Jews to be optimistic about the eventual
establishment of a homeland. Their optimism inspired the immigration to Palestine of Jews
from many countries, particularly from Germany when Nazi persecution of Jews began. The
arrival of many Jewish immigrants in the 1930s awakened Arab fears that Palestine would

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become a national homeland for the Jews. By 1936 guerrilla fighting had broken out between
the Jews and the Arabs. Unable to maintain peace, Britain issued a white paper in 1939 that
restricted Jewish immigration into Palestine. The Jews, feeling betrayed, bitterly opposed
the policy and looked to the United States for support.

“While President Franklin D. Roosevelt appeared to be sympathetic to the Jewish cause, his
assurances to the Arabs that the United States would not intervene without consulting both
parties caused public uncertainty about his position. When Harry S. Truman took office, he
made clear that his sympathies were with the Jews and accepted the Balfour Declaration,
explaining that it was in keeping with former President Woodrow Wilson's principle of ‘self-
determination.’ Truman initiated several studies of the Palestine situation that supported his
belief that, as a result of the Holocaust, Jews were oppressed and also in need of a homeland.
Throughout the Roosevelt and Truman administrations, the Departments of War and State,
recognizing the possibility of a Soviet-Arab connection and the potential Arab restriction on
oil supplies to this country, advised against U.S. intervention on behalf of the Jews. Britain
and the United States, in a joint effort to examine the dilemma, established the ‘Anglo-
American Committee of Inquiry.’ In April 1946, the committee submitted ten
recommendations covering topics such as ‘The
European Problem,’ ‘Refugee Immigration Into Palestine,’ ‘Principals of Government,’
‘United Nations Trusteeship,’ ‘Equality of Standards,’ ‘Land Policy,’ ‘Economic
Development,’ ‘Education,’ and ‘The Need for Peace in Palestine.’ [For the complete text,
see The Avalon Project at Yale Law School,
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/anglo/angtoc.htm]

“British, Arab, and Jewish reactions to the recommendations were not favorable. Jewish
terrorism in Palestine antagonized the British, and by February 1947 Arab-Jewish
communications had collapsed. Britain, anxious to rid itself of the problem, set the United
Nations in motion, formally requesting on April 2, 1947, that the U.N. General Assembly
set up the Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP). This committee recommended that
the British mandate over Palestine be ended and that the territory be partitioned into two
states. Jewish reaction was mixed--some wanted control of all of Palestine; others realized
that partition spelled hope for their dream of a homeland. The Arabs were not at all agreeable
to the UNSCOP plan. In October the Arab League Council directed the governments of its
member states to move troops to the Palestine border. Meanwhile, President Truman
instructed the State Department to support the U.N. plan, and, reluctantly it did so. On
November 29, 1947, the partition plan was passed by the U.N. General Assembly. At
midnight on May 14, 1948, the Provisional Government of Israel proclaimed a new State of
Israel. On that same date, the United States, in the person of President Truman,
recognized the provisional Jewish government as de facto authority of the Jewish state
(de jure recognition was extended on January 31, 1949). The U.S. delegates to the U.N.

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and top-ranking State Department officials were angered that Truman released his
recognition statement to the press without notifying them first. On May 15, 1948, the
first day of Israeli Independence and exactly one year after UNSCOP was established, Arab
armies invaded Israel and the first Arab-Israeli war began.

“The telegram reproduced here is from decimal file 867n.01/5-1448, Records of the
Department of State, Record Group 59, National Archives and Records Administration,
Washington, DC. The press release is from the records of Charles G. Ross, Alphabetical
File, Handwriting of the President at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library,
Independence, MO. The Library is part of the Presidential Libraries system of the National
Archives and Records Administration.”

(See U.S. Relations with Israel ; U.S.-Israel Relations:Roots of the U.S.-Israel
Relationship)

History and Inspiration has revealed these successive powers that have controlled the Middle
East, primarily Palestine and Egypt. The media as well as officials in our government
provides a wealth of information of U.S. policy in that region and the interest we have there.
There should be no doubt from the weight of evidence produced from Inspiration, history
and current events that the last “king of the north,” of Daniel 11:45 is the United States
and that he, not the Pope of Rome, bears the number “666.”

Abbreviation of Resources

A A Word to a Little Flock
4BC The Seventh Day Adventist Bible Commentary
7BC The Seventh Day Adventist Bible Commentary
CET Christian Experience and Teaching
ED Education
EV Evangelism
EW Early Writings
GC The Great Controversy
M Manuscript
Mar Maranatha
RH Review and Herald
4bSG Spiritual Gift vol. 4
5T Testimonies for the church Vol. 5
TM Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers
9T Testimonies for the church Vol. 9

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