Read Daniel 11:40-45. What is happening here?

The following phrases help us understand this text:

Time of the End: The expression “time of the end” appears only in Daniel (Dan. 8:17; Dan. 11:35, Dan. 11:40; Dan. 12:4, Dan. 12:9). Examination of Daniel’s prophecies indicates that the time of the end extends from the fall of the papacy in 1798 until the resurrection of the dead (Dan. 12:2).

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King of the North: This name first geographically designates the Seleucid dynasty, but then it refers to pagan and finally papal Rome. As such, it does not describe a geographical location but the spiritual enemy of God’s people. In addition, we should also note that the king of the North represents a counterfeit of the true God, who in the Bible is symbolically associated with the North (Isa. 14:13). King of the South: This name at first designates the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt, south of the Holy Land. But as the prophecy unfolds, it acquires a theological dimension, and is associated by some scholars with atheism. As Ellen G. White, commenting on the reference to Egypt in Revelation 11:8, says, “This is atheism”. — The Great Controversy, p. 269. The glorious holy mountain: In Old Testament times this expression referred to Zion, the capital and heart of Israel and geographically located in the Promised land. After the Cross, God’s people are no longer defined along ethnic and geographical lines. Therefore, the holy mountain must be a symbolic designation of God’s people spread throughout the world.

So, perhaps, we can interpret events like this:

(1) The king of the South attacks the king of the North: the French Revolution attempted to eradicate religion and defeat the papacy but failed. (2) The king of the North attacks and defeats the king of the South: the forces of religion headed by the papacy and its allies will eventually overcome the forces of atheism and will form a coalition with the defeated enemy. (3) Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon will escape: some of those not counted among God’s true people will join the fold in the last hour. (4) The king of the North prepares to attack the holy mountain but comes to his end: the forces of evil are destroyed, and God’s kingdom is established.

<–Wednesday Friday–>

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Read Daniel 11:29-39. What is this power that arises after pagan Rome?

Daniel 11:29-39 refers to a new power system. Although this system stands in continuation with the pagan Roman Empire and inherits some characteristics of its predecessor, at the same time it seems to be different in some aspects. The biblical text says that “it shall not be like the former or the latter” (Dan. 11:29, NKJV). As we look further, we find that it acts as a religious power. It aims its attack mainly at God and His people. Let us look at some of the actions perpetrated by this king.

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First, he will act “in rage against the holy covenant” (Dan. 11:30, NKJV). This must be a reference to God’s covenant of salvation, which this king opposes.

Second, this king will produce forces that will “defile the sanctuary” and take away the “daily sacrifices” (Dan. 11:31). We noted in Daniel chapter 8 that the little horn casts down the foundation of God’s “sanctuary” and takes away the “daily sacrifices” (Dan. 8:11). This must be understood as a spiritual attack against Christ’s ministration in the heavenly sanctuary.

Third, as a consequence of his attack on the sanctuary, this power places the “abomination of desolation” (NKJV) in God’s temple. The parallel expression “transgression of desolation” points to the acts of apostasy and rebellion by the little horn (Dan. 8:13).

Fourth, this power persecutes God’s people: “some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end” (Dan. 11:35, NKJV). This reminds us of the little horn, which cast down some of the host and some of the stars and trampled them (Dan. 8:10; compare with Dan. 7:25).

Fifth, this king will “exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods” (Dan. 11:36, NKJV). Unsurprisingly, the little horn also speaks “pompous words” (Dan. 7:8, NKJV), even against God (Dan. 7:25).

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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Read Daniel 11:16-28. Though the text is difficult, what images can you find that appear elsewhere in Daniel?

A transition in power from the Hellenistic kings to pagan Rome seems to be depicted in Daniel 11:16: “But he who comes against him shall do according to his own will, and no one shall stand against him. He shall stand in the Glorious Land with destruction in his power” (NKJV). The Glorious Land is Jerusalem, an area where ancient Israel has existed, and the new power that takes over that area is pagan Rome.

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The same event is also represented in the horizontal expansion of the little horn, which reaches the Glorious Land (Dan. 8:9). So it seems clear that the power in charge of the world at this point is pagan Rome.

Some additional clues in the biblical text reinforce this perception. For example, the “one who imposes taxes” must refer to Caesar Augustus. It is during his reign that Jesus is born, as Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem for the census (Dan. 11:20). Also, according to the prophecy this ruler will be succeeded by a “vile person” (Dan. 11:21). As history shows, Augustus was succeeded by Tiberius, an adoptive son of Augustus. Tiberius is known to have been an eccentric and vile person.

Most important, according to the biblical text, it was during the reign of Tiberius that the “prince of the covenant” would be broken (Dan. 11:22). This clearly refers to the crucifixion of Christ, also called “Messiah the prince” (Dan. 9:25; see also Matt. 27:33-50), as He is put to death during the reign of Tiberius. The reference to Jesus here as “the prince of the covenant” is a powerful marker that helps show us the flow of historical events, again giving readers powerful evidence of God’s amazing foreknowledge. God has been right on all that has come before in these prophecies, so we can surely trust Him on what He says will happen in the future.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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You can view an in-depth discussion of “From North and South to the Beautiful Land” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view:

You may download an MP4 video file, and audio file or a PDF lesson outline from the HopeSS site.

With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

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1. Introduction. Our lesson authors don’t hesitate to inform us that studying Daniel 11 is “challenging.” In your personal examination of Daniel’s messages to God’s people, you may find that most of the chapters of Daniel are challenging as is any explanation of the details of these chapters. Aren’t you glad that God deals with the challenges of understanding last-day events as described in the book of Daniel so that with study and prayer they become clear and beautiful? What would you suggest to the person who struggles to understand these messages?
2. Prophecies about Persia and Greece. Who were the three kings who followed Cyrus as the leaders of Persia? Alexander the Great is never mentioned by name in the Bible, but scholars agree that he was the ruler of Macedonia and became the ruler of the known world. How old was Alexander when he died? How were his successors chosen? Based on accounts recorded in Daniel 11:2-4 and Daniel 8:3-8 and 20-11, how can you show that Alexander was the recognized leader of the ancient world at that time?
3. War between the north and the south.  The book of Daniel chronicles some of the conflicts between the northern and southern portions of Alexander’s kingdom after his death. What makes these battles between heathen nations important for us Christians to know about? Considering all the opposition and hatred pounded on God and His people through the centuries, why does He
   “fight for the right” to defend His followers?  Can we be worth it?
4. Rome and the prince of the covenant. Based on our lesson for Tuesday, what do you think of the transition in history from Hellenistic kings (Greece) to pagan Rome? How do you link the text of Daniel 11:6 declaring that the ruler “shall do according to his own will” with pagan Rome’s style of leadership?” How is the crucifixion of Jesus portrayed in this passage? Are you grateful or confused by God’s way of expounding on future events? What can we do to make our reading of Bible prophecy even more rewarding?
5. The next power. If we thought the revelation of last day events was over with that portion of our lesson, we’d better sit up and pay attention to the next section! Rome is Rome, but there are different dimensions to the pagan Rome we see revealed in the Bible about 2,000 and more years ago and the papal Rome of the very last days of earth’s history. In what ways is papal Rome different from pagan Rome? How does papal Rome reveal opposition to the heavenly sanctuary? To God’s covenant of salvation? What religious acts of apostasy does papal Rome follow today? How important are these and other differences between the Bible and papal Rome? Or does God save us no matter what we believe?
6. Final Events. This short section is based on the six verses starting with Daniel 11:40. Our lesson guide assures us that the book of Daniel is the only place in the Bible where we see the expression, “time of the end.” Find all of the references if you can. What are the time limits? Be sure to study the description of end-time events after the conclusion of this week’s lesson.

Discussion topic: (from our lesson guide)

“(T)he correlation of Daniel 11 with Daniel 7 and 8 reinforces the view of Luther and many other Protestant commentators that the institution of the papacy and its teachings constitute the fulfillment of these prophecies in history. In this connection, Ellen G. White says: “No church within the limits of Romish jurisdiction was long left undisturbed in the enjoyment of freedom of conscience. No sooner had the papacy obtained power than she stretched out her arms to crush all that refused to acknowledge her sway, and one after another the churches submitted to her dominion.”

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