STUDIES IN DANIEL 11“Northeast Tidings and the Glorious Holy Mountain”

Prophetic Chronology of Daniel 11 Dan. 11:2-4 Persia and Greece

4 Hellenistic Empires Dan. 11:5-15 Seleucid Syria (north)

vs. Ptolemaic Egypt (south) Dan. 11:16-30 Pagan Rome Dan. 11:30-39 Papal Rome (538-1798) Dan. 11:40-45 Papal Rome (1798-End) Dan. 12:1 Close of Probation, Time

ofTrouble,

Return of Christ

Daniel 11:40 (KJV)“And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him [the “king of the north”]: and the king of the north shall come against him [the “king of the south”] 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.”

Daniel 11:41 (KJV)“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.”

Highlights from Daniel 11:41 After destroying the “king of the south,”

the papacy will enter the “glorious land.”

“Many” will be overthrown; “countries” is supplied – both individuals and nations will be involved in this final struggle.

Yet, “Edom, Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon” will “escape” the influence of the “king of the north.”

Identifying the “Glorious Land” In Dan. 11:16, the “glorious land” is a

reference to the literal nation of Israel, simply because this passage was fulfilled prior to AD 34, before the conclusion of the 70-weeks’ prophecy (Dan. 9:24-27).

The context of Dan. 11:41 is still future, and is obviously well after the conclusion of the 70 weeks, which means that the “glorious land” of Israel in this text is a reference to spiritual Israel, the Church.

Identifying the “Glorious Land” The “glorious land” as a symbol of spiritual

Israel (the Church) is a safe interpretation that has abundant scriptural support.

The SOP observes that modern “Israel” is the SDA Church (2T 67; 4SG 67-68; DA 288; PH020, 9; PK 74; PK 371; WLF 19).

It also implies that “Israel” is also made up of all true believers on earth in all ages (6T 366; 7BC 931; AA 11; PK 372; PP 447).

Entering the “Glorious Land” What does it mean for this power to ENTER

the “glorious land”? “Enter” (bow) can mean “attack,” “invade,”

or “besiege,” implying a conquest for purposes of occupation and control.

This concept implies that Rome will seek to control global Christianity again through Sunday Laws and persecution (13MR 394). It is the control of conscience by civil power.

Entering the “Glorious Land” Dan. 11:40 describes the “deadly wound” of

the papacy, while Dan. 11:41 describes the “healing” of this wound, as Rome’s wound will be healed when it regains civil power.

Dan. 11:41 parallels the texts of Matt. 24:15 and 2 Thess. 2:3-4 in its symbolism.

By controlling conscience with civil power, the papacy will seek to sit in God’s place.

Louis F. Were, Battle for the Kingship of the World, page 60

“When the State enters the domain of conscience, the realm of the church – ‘the glorious land,’ Dan. 11:41 . . . the prophecy of Dan. 11:41 will meet its fulfillment. It is when the deadly wound is healed – when church and State combine to enforce religious

Louis F. Were, Battle for the Kingship of the World, page 60

dogmas – that all the world wonderswonders after the beast (Rev 13). It is then that the king of the north enters into the ‘glorious land’ (Dan. 11:41), the domain of conscience, the territory of the church.”

Edom, Moab, and Ammon “Escape” Some inside this three-fold group

“escape” the influence of Papal Rome when Sunday Legislation is enacted.

“Edom” is another name for Esau, the brother of Jacob (Gen. 25:30; 36:1).

“Moab” and “Ammon” were the sons of Lot by his daughters (Gen. 19:30-38).

Edom, Moab, and Ammon “Escape” The nations from these three men were

later bitter enemies of Israel (1 Sam. 14:47; 1 Chr. 18:11; Jer. 9:26; 25:15-29), and bordered just outside of Israel.

To be consistent, these terms must be understood in a symbolic sense, just as the kings of the “north” and “south” and the “glorious land” are understood in a symbolic sense.

Edom, Moab, and Ammon “Escape” These terms symbolize people who are

outside of spiritual Israel, but choose not to follow Papal Rome; once enemies of God, they “escape” Papal Rome’s influence and join the ranks of God’s faithful people.

Spiritual Babylon is a three-fold union of false religion led by the papacy (Rev. 16:13); Edom, Moab, and Ammon in Dan. 11:41 are a parallel of this three-fold union.

Edom, Moab, and Ammon “Escape” Edom, Moab, and Ammon in Dan. 11:41

describe people in spiritual Babylon who were once enemies of God and were outside of spiritual Israel; yet, they choose to “escape” Rome’s influence when Sunday Legislation is enacted; they exit Babylon (Rev. 18:1-4), and join God’s remnant; they respond to the Three Angels’ Messages (Rev. 14:6-12) and choose to keep the Sabbath, despite Rome’s global agenda.

Isaiah 11:10-16

Daniel 11:42-43 (KJV)

“(42) He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. (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.”

“Libya” and “Ethiopia” At times “Libya” was faithful to God (Matt.

27:32; Acts 2:10; 11:20; 13:1), and at times it was an enemy of Israel (2 Chr. 12:1-4; 16:7-8; Jer. 46:7-10; Eze. 27:10; 30:1-5; 38:1-5; Nahum 3:7-10).

Like “Libya,” at times “Ethiopia” was both faithful to God (Gen. 2:13; 1 Kings 10:1-13; Psalm 68:31; Acts 8:26-39), and an enemy of Israel (Gen. 10:6-10; 2 Chr. 12:1-4; 16:7-8; Jer. 46:7-10; Eze. 30:1-5; 38:1-5; Nahum 3:7-10).

“Libya” and “Ethiopia,” cont’d Since both of these powers follow in the steps

of Rome, it is possible that they symbolize those who were once faithful to God, but join Rome and become God’s enemies by complying with Sunday Legislation (GC 608).

These two powers could also symbolize those nations that give their military and police strength to the papacy to help enforce Sunday Legislation and restrict buying and selling.

Daniel 11:44 (KJV)“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.”

Highlights from Daniel 11:44 “Tidings” (shemuah) means “something

heard,” “announcement,” “news,” “report,” “rumor,” or “tidings.”

This term implies some sort of message that “troubles” the “king of the north,” hindering its quest for global control.

The apostle Paul equated the word “tidings” with the word “gospel.”

Romans 10:15“And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

Highlights from Daniel 11:44 Evidently, these “tidings” are a special

gospel message that will be proclaimed, which will “trouble” the “king of the north” in its quest for global control.

These “tidings” also originate from the east and from the north; we have already discussed how the “north” is a heavenly direction where God dwells; the “east” has a similar significance as well!

Highlights from Daniel 11:44, cont’d The “tidings” from the “east” and “north”

are the proclamation of a special gospel message that will seek to contest the global agenda of the “king of the north.”

This message will “trouble” this power by calling people out of this system of false worship, hindering its global agenda.

As a result, this power will respond with “great fury” to “destroy” those who proclaim and respond to these “tidings.”

The Northeast Tidings consist of the Three Angels’ Messages (Rev. 14:6-12), a loud-cry, sealing message that will call people out of spiritual Babylon just before the close of probation (Rev. 18:1-4).

Daniel 11:45 (KJV)“And 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.”

Highlights from Daniel 11:45 The Hebrew word for “plant” (nata) means

to “establish,” “pitch,” or “strike in.” The terms “tabernacle” (church) and

“palace” (state) seem to imply both religious and political supremacy, i.e. a global union of church and state.

The phrase “between the seas” can mean among the nations of the earth (Rev 17:15).

Highlights from Daniel 11:45, cont’d The “king of the north” will seek to “plant”

its authority among the nations (“seas”) through a global union of church (“tabernacles”) and state (“palace”).

The verse also adds that this power will also seek to “plant” its religious-political authority “in the glorious holy mountain.”

What is the “glorious holy mountain”?

Joel 3:17Ephesians 5:25-27Psalm 125:1Revelation 14:1Joel 2:31-32

The “Glorious Holy Mountain” The “glorious land” (Dan. 11:41) is a symbol

of spiritual Israel in its pre-shaken condition as it faces the Sunday Law crisis.

The “glorious holy mountain” is a symbol of a pure “Israel” after the shaking period (the 144,000), which consists of faithful SDAs and those who have responded to the “Northeast Tidings” (the Three Angels!), and have exited Babylon.

The “Glorious Holy Mountain” The “glorious holy mountain” of the

144,000 will receive the latter rain, sound the loud cry by giving the “Northeast Tidings,” and receive the seal of God to prepare for the time of trouble.

They are called the “glorious holy mountain” because they fully reflect the glory and the character of God (“Father’s name”); they also pass through a unique experience unlike any other generation.

Daniel 12:1 (KJV)“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS The prophecy of Dan. 11 can be understood

through a careful study of its chronology. Dan. 11:40-45 is the end-time repetition of

the passage of Dan. 11:30-36 (13MR 394). Dan. 11:40-12:1 is the grand climax of

history, from 1798 to the 2nd Advent. It discusses the “Northeast Tidings,” the

final proclamation of the Three Angels’ Messages in the power of the fourth angel of Revelation 18:1-4.

We are blessed to have been given the “Northeast Tidings,” the very message of the Three Angels that will produce the 144,000 and prepare them for translation. Those who die in the faith of this message will also receive a special resurrection to see Christ return! Our most urgent work is to proclaim this “Good News”!

Testimonies for the Church, 9:19

“In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light bearers. To them has been entrusted the last warning for a perishing world. On them is shining wonderful light from the word of God. They have been given a work of the most solemn import--the proclamation of the first, second, and

Testimonies for the Church, 9:19

third angels' messages. There isno other work of so great importance. They are to allow nothing else to absorb their attention . . . The most solemn truths ever entrusted to mortals have been given us to proclaim to the world. The proclamation of these truths is to be our work. The world is to be warned, and God's people are to be true to the trust committed to them.”

A FINAL APPEALWill we make a commitment to be more faithful in BOTH living AND giving this message of the “Good News”? It is a message of hope for a dying world – will we do our part in this final work and occupy our place in God’s plan?