There are many in our churches today who take the view that the eleventh chapter of Daniel is literal history up until verse 36, where it then becomes 'symbolic'. But we take the only logical view that the whole chapter is literal historical prophecy and none of it is symbolic, just as our Adventist pioneers believed. It does not make logical sense to have such a large portion of the chapter describing literal history and then the last part to suddenly turn 'symbolic'. And to be able to make the Papacy fit the last part of Daniel 11, you have to do some great stretching in the symbol department to make it fit. It is a sad fact that a lot of the truths God revealed through our Adventist pioneers have been rejected by our current church leaders.
Further down the page we will provide quotes from our pioneers to show that what we are teaching lines up with the pioneers. We will also show you through the news that what we are teaching is actually coming to pass.
So on this page, we will show the true meaning of Daniel 11 and the importance of it for us living in the last days. We will show that the last portion of Daniel 11 is a 'guide post', a 'marker' to show us how close we are to 'Michael standing up' (Daniel 12:1), which is the close of probation.
PLEASE NOTE: This truth in no way deflects from the role of the Papacy in the end times. We all know that the Papacy will work through fallen 'Protestant' America and the 'kings of the earth' to enforce the mark of the beast. But the literal prophecy of Daniel 11 simply gives us a 'guidepost' to show us how close we are to the close of probation. And praise God for giving us such a marker so we may know!
We will deal mainly with the final verses of Daniel 11, but just to give a brief account of what Daniel 11 deals with - "Beginning with the first year of Darius the Mede, it passes through the remainder of Persian history (verse 3), the brief reign of Alexander the Great (verses 3,4), followed by the long contests between the kings of Syria and Egypt, the former called "the king of the North," and the latter, "the king of the South," these countries being respectively north and south from Jerusalem (verses 5-15); then passes into Roman history (verses 16-29), notices the crucifixion of Christ (verse 22), touches upon the work of the papacy (verses 30-33), the great Reformation (verse 34), the end of papal supremacy in 1798 (verse 35) ; then introduces, and ends with, the closing portion of the history of the Turkish empire, this empire now including, as a part of its domain, the identical territory of the old Assyrian kingdom, and for this reason receiving also the name, "The king of the North." Verses 40-45. It is this introduction of the Turkish empire that connects the prophecy with the "Eastern Question;" for the Eastern Question is simply the question of how the remains of the now nearly defunct Turkish empire shall be disposed of. A definite point in the prophecy, sufficiently far back to include all that is said about the Eastern Question, is found in verse 35. With that we therefore commence the investigation." ('Bible Reading for the Home Circle', 1888)
1. - What are the three prominent things brought to view in verse 35? [Which is connected to verses 33 and 34]
Daniel 11:33-35 ...'And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.'
(1.) A period of persecution; (2.) The fact that this persecution is measured by a prophetic period - "a time appointed;" and (3.) That this prophetic period brings us to a season called "the time of the end."
2. - What time of persecution is thus limited in the Scriptures by a prophetic period?
There are but two instances of such a nature. The first is the persecution under Diocletian, from A.D. 302 to 312, "ten days", which are literal years (Rev. 2:10); but this is too far in the past to reach anywhere near to the "time of the end," and consequently cannot be the one here intended. The second is the great period during which the papacy was to make war upon, and wear out, the saints of the Most High (Dan. 7:25; Rev. 13:7), - a period which the prophets five times mention as containing 1260 days/years. Dan. 7:25; 12:7; Rev. 12:6,14 ; 13:5. Papal supremacy commenced in A.D. 538, and ended in 1798. Thus we find ourselves located by verse 35, in the year 1798, at the end of the 1260 years of Papal persecution.
3. - What does the prophecy next bring to view?
Daniel 11:36-37 ...'And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.'
What is a person known as if they do not regard any god? Such a person is clearly an atheist. So this "king," or nation, in its national capacity would take upon itself the profession of atheism. So we can see this cannot now be speaking of the Papacy, as the Papal Church of Rome cannot be regarding as having 'no regard for any god', as they have always professed faith in God and Jesus Christ, albeit a false God and a false Christ - the trinity. And remember, we are now at the END of Papal rule around 1798.
4. - What nation has ever taken such an 'atheist' position?
France! This 'king' [nation] alone of all nations can match the criteria; and this was during the great French Revolution, - the "reign of terror," - 1793 to 1798. Both the nature of the Revolution, it's rejection of God and the Bible, and the date, compel us to apply verses 36 and 37 to the French nation at that time.
5. - Having thus introduced France, how long does the prophecy dwell upon that power?
Down to, and including a portion of, verse 40.
6. - What change is noticed in verses 38-39?
Daniel 11:38-39 ...'But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.'
We have already been told that this 'king' [nation] would 'not regard any god', but then would introduce new worship and a strange god whom their fathers knew not. By the introduction of the "worship of Reason", the nation of France fulfills this. And as historians explain ... "There is one thing that one must not tire telling people," Momoro explained, "Liberty, reason, truth are only abstract beings. They are not gods, for properly speaking, they are part of ourselves." (Kennedy, p.343). So you can see that this new worship introduced by France was ultimately a worship of SELF, disregarding any other god. But because it is still the worship of self and reason, which atheism is, then it can also be regarded as a 'strange god'.
INTERESTING NOTE: Our SDA leaders today believe verses 38-39 to be speaking of the Papacy, and yet this verse, if it be true that it is speaking of the Papacy, says it worships a 'strange god'. And yet our leaders today worship the very same Trinity god as the Papacy! So by this, the SDA leaders are confessing to worship a 'strange god' themselves!
7. - What unique transaction is noticed in the last clause of verse 39?
Daniel 11:39 ...'Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.'
This king shall 'divide the land for gain'.
8. - How was this fulfilled?
As history confirms, it was literally fulfilled in the confiscation of the estates of the nobility by the revolutionists, and in the selling out of these estates in small lots, to a multitude of Frenchmen. The result was to place more than seven hundred million pounds sterling in the depleted French treasury. See Alison, vol. 4, p. 151.
9. - What time again is introduced in verse 40?
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.'
The time of the end, which is 1798, as noted earlier.
10. - Who is the 'king of the South,' and 'king of the north' spoken of?
This is where modern day preachers introduce France as the king of the south, pushing at the Papacy in 1798, bringing an end to Papal rule, which sounds good. But the problem with this view is that you are moving away from the literal interpretation of the rest of the chapter, and therefore removing the all important context of Daniel 11. If we are to interpret scripture with scripture, then who is the 'king of the south' spoken of earlier in Daniel 11? Egypt! (verses 5-15). And who is the 'king of the north'? It is that kingdom which occupies the territory of Syria, north of Jerusalem, which in 1798 was the Ottoman empire, Turkey. France is not called the 'king of the south' in verses 36-39 - that atheistic nation which completely rejected God and the Bible. France is merely called 'a king'.
REMEMBER: Daniel 11 is a literal, historical prophecy, not a symbolic one. So we cannot introduce symbolism into this chapter, when it is clearly a literal historical record. The 'king of the north' throughout the chapter, occupies the territory north of Jerusalem, which was the old Assyrian empire, which became the [ISLAMIC] Ottoman empire. The Papacy does not occupy this territory. Yes, the Papacy has certain 'control' behind the scenes, but in a literal sense does not occupy this area. And the 'king of the south' throughout the chapter, occupies the territory south of Jerusalem, which is Egypt. France does not occupy this territory.
11. - Against whom does this 'king of the south' and 'king of the north' "push," against?
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.'
Against "him ;" that is, the atheistical king of verses 36-39, which is France. So Egypt (king of the south) would simply 'push' at France, and the Ottoman Empire - Turkey (king of the north) was to 'come against' France 'like a whirlwind', 'at the time of the end', around 1798.
12. - What is the testimony of history on this point?
It testifies that these very events did occur in that very year. After fancied Egyptian provocations against France ("push at him"), Napoleon entered upon his Egyptian campaign in the spring of 1798, and was making an easy conquest of the country, when Turkey, through jealousy of the French, and through opposition to their designs in Egypt, fostered by English diplomats, declared war against France on the 2nd of September of that year. England and Russia were in alliance with Turkey in this struggle, and their navies furnished the "many ships" of the prophecy, while their aid added to the "whirlwind" onset of the Turks.
13. - What is indicated by the closing declaration of verse 40, that "he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over"?
It indicates that one of the parties engaged in this conflict would emerge from it in great triumph. The prophecy does not tell by name which one it is, but, as in other similar cases, simply uses the pronoun, leaving the student to learn the answer by the events themselves. We have, therefore only to ascertain which one did triumph, and then we know which one is meant by the pronoun "he."
The victorious party in this struggle was the Turks. The French, under Napoleon, found the Turkish forces strongly intrenched at Acre, in Palestine, on the Mediterranean. After sixty days spent in fruitless efforts to dislodge them, Napoleon was obliged to sound the note of retreat, and lead his forces back to Egypt. Additional reverses soon compelled the French to retire to their own country, leaving Egypt in possession of the Turks. In light of these facts, it is impossible to apply the latter part of verse 40 to any nation but the Turks.
Egypt, twice prostrated, -by the French first, then by the Turks, -certainly did not "overflow and pass over." The French, ignominiously retracing their steps to their own land, did not fulfill this specification. But the Turks, victorious over the French, and lords of Egypt, certainly did. The Turks thus came to take the leading position in the occurrences of those times, and now the prophecy drops the French, transfers the burden of its testimony to the victorious Turk, and traces his [Turkish, Islamic] history from this point on to the very end.
14. - What do verses 41-43 relate to?
Daniel 11:41-43 ...'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. 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.'
These verses relate to the advantages and prestige gained by the Turkish empire in that war of 1798-1801. They recovered all the places taken by the French in the "glorious land," - Palestine ; they did not turn aside eastward to overrun Edom and Moab and Ammon ; but did enter Egypt, putting it under heavy tribute, and received embassies of friendship and congratulation from the Libyans and Ethiopians, located southward in the interior of Africa.
"Edom, Moab, and Ammon, lying outside the limits of Palestine, south and east of the Dead Sea and Jordan, were out of the line of March of the Turks from Syria to Egypt, and so escaped the ravages of that campaign." (Uriah Smith, Daniel and the Revelation, 1882, p.371)
15. - To what does the testimony of verse 44 point?
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.'
This points to another war, excited by the threatening attitude of nations on the east and north of Turkey.
16. - In what way has this been fulfilled?
This was fulfilled in the Crimean war of 1853-56, which originated from the threatening attitude of Persia on the east of Turkey, and Russia on the north. Dr. Clarke, closing his commentary on the Old Testament in 1825, foreshadowed this movement when, commenting on this verse, he said, "It may mean that thePersians on the east, and the Russians on the north, will at some time greatly embarrass the Ottoman government." (Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary). Twenty-eight years elapsed, and the Crimean war sustained the application of Dr. Clarke, and fulfilled the prophecy.
"Tidings from these powers troubled him [Turkey]. Their attitude and movements incited the Sultan to anger and revenge. Russia being the more aggressive party was the object of attack. Turkey declared war on her powerful northern neighbor in 1853. The world looked on in amazement to see a government which had long been called "the Sick Man of the East," a government whose army was dispirited and demoralized, whose treasuries were empty, whose rulers were vile and imbecile, and whose subjects were rebellious, and threatening secession, rush with such impetuosity into the conflict. The prophecy said that they [the Turks] should go forth with "great fury", and when they thus went forth, the profane vernacular of an American writer described them as fighting "like devils." England and France, it is true, soon came to the help of Turkey; but she went forth in the manner described, and, as is reported, gained victory after victory, before receiving the assistance of these powers."(Uriah Smith, Daniel and the Revelation, 1882, p.375)
17. - What move on the part of the Turkish power does the prophecy next indicate?
Daniel 11:45 ...'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.'
The 'tabernacles of his palace' means the 'seat of government' of the Turkish kingdom. And where does this last verse say the 'seat of government' of the Turkish [Islamic] power will be moved to? "Between the seas, in the glorious holy mountain," an expression which Bishop Newton says "Between the seas in the glorious holy mountain, must denote, as we have shown, some part of the Holy Land. There the Turk shall encamp with all his power, yet 'he shall come to his end, and none shall help him'." (Newton on the Prophecies, p. 318) If so, it can be none other than Jerusalem. We must therefore look for the Turks to move their seat of government to Jerusalem. And what did Gabriel say to Daniel concerning chapter 11?
Daniel 10:14 ...'Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.'
Another destruction is coming to the nation of Israel, from this move of Turkey and Islam. And the move of Turkey and Islam upon Israel, specifically Jerusalem, will be their last move, and when Turkey does this, they then come to their end, and none help them. Other nations have helped Turkey in past wars, but when the Turks make this final move, she will be on her own and the result will be the end of the Turkish, Islamic kingdom. Thus the prophecy points to a movement on the part of Turkey into Jerusalem, which lies at the very center of the Eastern Question.
The movement on the part of Turkey and Islam is the SIGNAL for the standing up of Michael and the end of probation (Daniel 12:1). It marks the order of events. Yes, the Papacy is the antichrist and will, through America cause the world to take it's mark. But when Turkey and Islam move into Jerusalem to take control, we will know that the next event will be the close of probation and the end is at the door! This is the purpose of Daniel 11.
"Turkey stands as a national guidepost to the world, that men may know what is going on in the sanctuary above.” Stephen Haskell, The Story of Daniel the Prophet 1901 p 248
But Turkey does not Occupy Syria Today
It is true that the old Ottoman Empire (Turkey) had control over Syria, but not today. Turkey does not control Syria, that is a simple fact. But what is the major religion of Syria? Islam. Which is why we are not making a narrow path to just Turkey alone as a nation. This whole issue involves the Muslims as a people, especially the 'radical' Muslims, which is why we mention Islam with Turkey above. But have a think about the following facts:
Syria is ranked 49th in the world as a military power (as of March 2018) (source)
Turkey is ranked 9th in the world as a military power (as of March 2018) (source)
So as you can see, Syria as a nation itself, does not have the power to make any kind of movement into Israel. On the other hand, Turkey is the most powerful Muslim nation in the world. And Turkey's might has been growing for the past number of years. So if there was a nation that could create a powerful Islamic Caliphate to take Jerusalem, it would be Turkey.
So although Syria is directly north of Israel, Turkey as a nation still has the largest control of the old Ottoman Empire, and is in a much stronger position to create the Caliphate to unite the radical Muslims to attack Israel and try to take Jerusalem.
What our Adventist Pioneers Believed
URIAH SMITH - "But if Turkey, now occupying the territory which constituted the northern division of Alexander's empire, is not the king of the north of this prophecy, then we are left without any principle to guide us in the interpretation. And we presume all will be agreed that there is no room for the introduction of any other power here." (Uriah Smith, Daniel and the Revelation, 1882, p.370)
A.T.JONES - "So, when we come to the fortieth verse of the eleventh of Daniel, we are not reading of affairs away back in the days of the empire of Greece, nor of the affairs of Rome, but of affairs down here at 'the time of the end,' as mentioned in the thirty-fifth verse. Other verses also show the same thing. And bear in mind that the king of the South is always in Egypt, and the king of the North is always the power occupying the territory of which Constantinople is the center. And all the world knows that since 1453 A. D., the territory of which Constantinople is the center, has been held and ruled by the Turks. Then the king of the North at the time of the end is the Turkish dominion." (A.T.Jones, The Marshaling of the Nations, p.30-31)
S.HASKELL - "Every eye is centered on that one spot, and has been for years. Turkey is known universally as the 'Sick Man of the East,' and the only reason he does not die is because intoxicants are administered, figuratively speaking, by first one nation then another. The time will come when he will remove from Constantinople, and take up his abode in Palestine; that is, plant his tabernacle between the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Time and again the world has been brought to realize that the end of all things is near at hand, for all know that when the Turk steps out of Constantinople, there will be a general breaking up of Europe. They may not name this impending conflict the battle of Armageddon, but God has so named it." (S.Haskell, Story of Daniel the Prophet, p.245-249)
And what did Sister White say about Uriah's book Daniel and the Revelation?
"Daniel and Revelation, Great Controversy, Patriarchs and Prophets, and Desire of Ages should now go to the world. The grand instruction contained in Daniel and Revelation has been eagerly perused by many in Australia. This book has been the means of bringing many precious souls to a knowledge of the truth. Everything that can be done should be done to circulate Thoughts on Daniel and Revelation. I know of no other book that can take the place of this one. It is God's helping hand." (E.White, Manuscript Releases, Vol.21, pgr.444)
"Those who are preparing to enter the ministry, who desire to become successful students of the prophecies, will find Daniel and the Revelation an invaluable help. They need to understand this book. It speaks of past, present, and future, laying out the path so plainly that none need err therein. Those who will diligently study this book will have no relish for the cheap sentiments presented by those who have a burning desire to get out something new and strange to present to the flock of God. The rebuke of God is upon all such teachers. They need that one teach them what is meant by godliness and truth. The great, essential questions which God would have presented to the people are found in Daniel and the Revelation. There is found solid, eternal truth for this time. Everyone needs the light and information it contains." (E.White, Manuscript Releases, Volume 1, p. 61)
Many a Seventh-day Adventist today reject what we have shown above because of two simple reasons. One is that they would rather follow the current leaders of the SDA church, who have turned away from the beliefs of our pioneers. Another is because James White on a number of occasions said that the king of the north is 'Rome'. But he never called the king of the north 'the Papacy'. And James White called the king of the north Rome because he paralleled Daniel 11 with Daniel 2, 7 and 8, look:
"Let us take a brief view of the line of prophecy four times spanned in the book of Daniel. It will be admitted that the same ground is passed over in chapters two, seven, eight, and eleven, with this exception, that Babylon is left out of chapters eight and eleven. We first pass down the great image of chapter 2, where Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome are represented by the gold, the silver, the brass, and the iron. All agree that these feet are not Turkish but Roman. And as we pass down to the lion, the bear, the leopard, and the beast with ten horns, representing the same as the great image, again all will agree that it is not Turkey that is cast into the burning flame, but the Roman beast. So of chapter 8, all agree that the little horn that stood up against the Prince of princes is not Turkey but Rome. In all these lines thus far Rome is the last form of government mentioned." (James White, Review and Herald, November 29, 1877)
What is James White saying? He is simply saying that Rome would be the last power or 'form of government' on earth. Which is why he related the king of the north to Rome. And yes, this is correct. The last 'form of government' in the world before Jesus returns will be a 'Roman' one. But this does not take away from the fact that the last verses of Daniel 11 are a literal prophecy giving us a 'guidepost' to the nearness of the close of probation. And if you simply study this for yourself, you will see that the king of the north is the Turkish power (Islam), not the Papacy. It is also interesting that those who like to quote James White on this issue, ignore what he says elsewhere:
"It is our opinion that any power that reigns over Syria is - for the time being - the king of the north, spoken of [in] Daniel xi; hence that the Turkish Dynasty is now [1854] that power. If Russia, Austria, England, or France should become possessed of supreme power over Syria, then it - which ever it might be - would become the king of the north. Till then none but the Turkish Dynasty occupies that position, in our opinion." (James White, Review and Herald, Dec.12, 1854)
"There is a line of historic prophecy in chapter eleven, where the symbols are thrown off, beginning with the kings of Persia, and reaching down past Grecia and Rome, to the time when that power shall come to his end, and none shall help him." (James White, Review and Herald, Oct. 3, 1878)
Did you notice what Brother White said in 1878? That the 'symbols are thrown off' from all of Daniel 11. But what do you need to do to come to the conclusion that the Papacy is the king of the north? You have to employ much symbolism! And yet James White confirms above that symbolism cannot be used in Daniel 11. So while James White focused on the fact that the 'Roman kingdom' would be the last form of world government, influencing his view of the king of the north, our other pioneers firmly believed the king of the north to be Turkey. And Ellen White gave great support to Uriah Smith's book 'Daniel and the Revelation’.
Any Movements Regarding Turkey Towards Israel?
Take a look at these recent news articles [and video] regarding a possible 'move' of Turkey and her desire to 
conquer Jerusalem and make it an Islamic capital:
Turkish Newspaper Close To President Erdogan Calls To Form Joint Islamic Army To Fight Israel
Turkey President Erdogan: 'Liberate Jerusalem' from the Jews
Turkish President Erdogan calls on all Muslims to 'protect' Jerusalem holy site
Turkish President Erdogan tells his citizens that Muslims need to assert dominance over Jerusalem
Turkish Govenor declares that Turkey's forces would soon march into Jerusalem!
April 2018
So as you can see, the 'eastern question' of Daniel 11:45 is very much stirring. There are signs that the leadership of Turkey are making plans to do the very thing Daniel 11:45 said they would. And that is to 'plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain' - JERUSALEM! And as we have said, this event is a guidepost to show how close we are to the close of probation. When the Islamic power moves it's base to Jerusalem to take control, then the battle of Armageddon (a literal battle of world powers) will take place. And the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ will then take place.
As we said above. This prophecy is not to take our focus off the role of the Papacy and America in the last days. Yes, the mark of the beast will be enforced by America and it's image to the Papacy. Yes, the 'kings of the earth' will give their power to the Papacy to enforce her dogmas upon the world. But Daniel 11:45 and the king of the north (Turkey - Islam) is simply a 'sign' that Jesus is about to 'stand up' and the close of probation has arrived. So what should our focus be, when we see signs that Islam is to take Jerusalem as it's own? BE READY in Christ.
Daniel 12:1 ...'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.'
Will your name still be in the book of life when Christ stands up? Make sure it is by surrendering all to the Lord!