We continue our discussion about the events surrounding the Middle East in Bible prophecy with a look at the final verses in Daniel chapter 11. These verses (40-45) have long been a shrouded mystery to Adventist scholars, theologians, and laymen alike as the Spirit of Prophecy has little say in regard to their application to the present day. However, God in His infinite wisdom and mercy has not left the meek and lowly amongst His people without a prophetic chart or compass on these important verses as they have been revealed for such a time as we presently face with the prospect of a gigantic war centered about the Middle East looming ever closer each day. The following sermon address was first presented in 1947 to clarify the muddy waters that have surrounded this portion of Daniel for decades.
TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,
MINISTER OF DAVIDIAN 7TH-DAY ADVENTISTS
SABBATH, SEPTEMBER 20, 1947
MT. CARMEL CHAPEL
WACO, TEXAS
Our subject for this afternoon is found in Daniel, chapters 11 and 12. Chapter 12 contains the “time of trouble,” but the time of the “time of trouble” is found in the eleventh chapter of Daniel. The twelfth chapter is, of course, a continuation of the eleventh chapter. We shall begin our study with–
Dan. 12:4 — “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”
Daniel was told to shut and seal the book even to the time of the end. The book, therefore, was not for the understanding of the people before the time of the end. So, then, when the book is unsealed and understood we may know that the time of the end is come.
Besides this sign, though, there is the sign of men running to and fro, and an increase of knowledge. The whole world knows that throughout the years of history, prior to our time, the horse was the means of man’s speediest transportation and communication, and this method continued throughout the centuries. The angel nevertheless informed Daniel that in the time of the end there would be a decided change, that men would then run to and fro. And touching the time of the end according to Nahum’s prophecy, Inspiration declares: “The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.” Nah. 2:4.
Now that knowledge has been increased since the last century, or longer, and now that steam, oil, and electric engines have revolutionized the world, and have made it possible for men to run to and fro with unprecedented speed, the subject stands as clear as crystal that we are now living in the time of the end. There can be no doubt about this. This is positive truth, truth that you cannot gainsay and yet believe the Bible and history.
To find the beginning of the time of the end, we must read–
Dan. 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.”
Not in, but at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at the king of the north. This prophetic war, therefore, marks the beginning of the time of the end. To find the time of the conflict between the two kings we need to read–
Dan. 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.”
Mark carefully that at the downfall of the king of the south, the king of the north expands and overthrows many countries; that he enters the glorious land (Palestine), but Edom, Moab, and the children of Ammon escape out of his hand. And remember that this work of conquest was to begin at the time of the end. Hence, in the time of the end the king of the south declines, while the king of the north expands. And since the conflict starts at the time of the end, the defeat of the one and the victory of the other are completed in and during the time of the end.
Next, to learn when the years of the time of the end began, and who the king of the south and who the king of the north are, all you need to know is when such a clash began, and who in the time of the end ceded Egypt and Palestine to an enemy power, what power has as a result shrunk during the time of the end, and what power has expanded. There is but one answer, and that is: While the Ottoman Empire has been shrinking since 1669 A.D., the British Empire has been expanding, and it today rules Egypt and Palestine. Hence, today Turkey is the king of the south, and Great Britain, the king of the north; and according to this prophetic conflict, the time of the end started at the beginning of the eighteenth century.
Here is a map that demonstrates the rise and decline of the Ottoman (Turkish) empire. Look at it, study it. And on the opposite page is the expansion of the English empire during the same period of time.
(Adapted from The Miracle of England, by Andre Maurois, Harper & Brothers Publishers.)
This, you see, is positive truth, not guesswork, not theory, not a far-fetched idea.
Next note that Edom and Moab escape out of his hand. Yes, the king of the north shall lose them.
As the second world war (WWII) has, however, brought the first reverses to Great Britain, and as we here see her in prophecy, her part in World War II must also be found in Daniel 11. Let us then study the remaining verses of the chapter.
Dan. 11:44 — “But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.”
In the time of the end, after having over-flown the previously mentioned countries, the king of the north is again seen in conflict, but not with the king of the south. He is drawn into this last conflict by what is reported to him from the east and from the north. Now that World War II developed from the directions specified by Inspiration, — Germany on the north, and Japan on the east, besides Russia in the extreme north, — facts so fresh in our minds are bound to remove all doubt but that World War II is the one spoken of here in prophecy. And let us not forget that World War II has not actually ended, that it is yet to be finished. I say, in the face of these facts now known world-wide, it is difficult for one to deny what is here brought to light.
Dan. 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.”
Now that Great Britain’s economic structure is in grave danger of collapsing, and as her empire is fast crumbling, we fear that the fulfillment of verse 45 is perhaps closer than one might realize. If only those who head the empire, and also the heads of our own nation knew and understood prophecy, we believe Great Britain could come victoriously as did Nineveh of old after Jonah’s great episode.
We all know that Great Britain has been helped by the United States of America more than once. But if we rightly understand this verse, the events of which are but a continuation of those found in verse 44, the king will surely come to his end and none shall help him. This may transpire before World War II is entirely over, and yet it may not. We gather this from the fact that the event of verse 44 is in connection with the event of verse 45. Inspiration seems to allow no time between verses 44 and 45. We do not know the turns which the war will take, but we know that the prophecies of the Bible never fail.
As to his planting his tabernacles in the glorious holy mountain, it is not too clear, for planting the tabernacles of his palace before he comes to his end does not necessarily mean moving his throne there. It could be taken to mean having a branch of his palace there. If he is to plant his tabernacles there while Michael stands up, though, then the only locality other than the Holy Land that we know of, is at Mount Sinai, between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
From the study of the eleventh chapter of Daniel, we have learned several positive truths: 1. That the time of the end began in the eighteenth century; 2. That the king of the south is the Ottoman empire; 3. That the king of the north at the present time is Great Britain in particular; 4. That World War II is the war in Daniel eleven.” — Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 7, pp. 2-9
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