Writing these articles has been a slow process, and has required much effort to think outside of the traditional box that confines our interpretation of Daniel 11. This box is ever present, and to escape it, and then avoid being pulled back into its grasp, is a most difficult thing. It is a massive whirlpool. Though we like to think otherwise, the educational system in place, both in the world at large, and in Adventism, has produced a class of dependent thinkers rather than independent thinkers. As I apply this to myself, I find that it is only too true.

It is no different than David’s experience when confronted by Goliath. David was an independent thinker. King Saul attempted to draw David into his box by imposing his own armor upon him. It was the exact same armor as worn by Goliath, his enemy.

It is highly interesting to note that the armor of both Saul and Goliath consisted of brass and iron. As we have already seen, brass stands for Greece, representing a system of false education, and iron stands for Rome, representing a system of legalism. Goliath represents our inherited and cultivated defects of character—that of self. These two things are shown by Goliath’s immense size, and by the weapons and skill of warfare he acquired along the way.

In other words, Saul is handing David a system that is based on false education and works, somehow thinking that David can use these things to defeat Goliath, who in turn is coming against him with the very same weapons, only on a much larger scale. It is the same system that is identified in Daniel 7:19; the teeth of iron, and the nails of brass. In order to defeat Goliath, it was necessary that David turn to unconventional weapons.

The point to make, is that our educational system has produced the armor we use to fight with. Our interpretative principles spring directly from our system of education. It is all that leadership knows, and as a result, it is all we know. It is the same problem that confronted Christ in his interaction with the Jewish leaders. Even his disciples struggled to escape the prevailing mindset, to the point that Christ could not teach them all that he desired to. It is why God could not allow John the Baptist to be educated by the current schools, as they had become corrupted. The same is true in our day. We are being handed the same system, based on false education and works, and led to believe that we can use these weapons and armor to defeat our defects of character.

It is both interesting and sobering to realize that we are all being settled into the ‘truths’ that we allow ourselves to believe. We will become so settled into these ‘truths,’ that we will come to a point where we shall never be moved from them. This holds true of all systems, ideologies, and religions. This is inclusive of both classes of Adventists—the pew warmers, and those inside and outside of the Church ‘structure’ who claim to be in ‘present truth.’ It is at this point that the mandate in Revelation 22:11 becomes the real and actual present truth for each one of us—“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still, and he that is holy, let him be holy still.”

Making the Case at the Time of the End

As we consider the role of the king of the south, the very first item of information that is given to us is the time of his arrival.

With this in mind, we will look at several references to this time frame, in order to gain the larger perspective that will help us to correctly understand.

1798 is an established date that marks the beginning of the time of the end, referenced in Daniel 8:17; 11:35; 11:40; 12:4; and 12:9. (See also GC 355-6) It is an established date for the removal of the Papacy as the fifth king. It is no coincidence that the king of the south is introduced at the rise of the sixth king—that of the United States of America. The king of the north then follows the arrival of the king of the south. It is important to realize that these two kings do not arrive simultaneously.

Two Separate and Distinct Movements

“I beheld till the thrones were cast down,(1798) and the Ancient of days did sit,(1844) whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.” Daniel 7:9 KJV  (Emphasis and dates, mine)

As we proceed, it should be noted that here again, Uriah Smith, in his book ‘Thoughts on Daniel and Revelation,’ changes the words from ‘till the thrones were cast down,’ to ‘till the thrones were set up,’ calling it “an unfortunate translation of verse 9;” and that “a wrong idea is almost sure to be conveyed.” (1897 UrS, DAR 134.3-4) In researching this, all of the modern versions of the Bible use either ‘placed’ or ‘set up’—again, going clear back to the Catholic Douay-Rheims version published between 1582 and 1610.  U. Smith uses the various Protestant commentators to confirm his view.

It should be noted further, that the newer versions of the Great Controversy, including the 1888 and 1911 editions, also use the word ‘placed.’ (GC88 479.1; GC1911 479.1) The original 1884 version holds to the KJV rendering—that the thrones were cast down, and is confirmed in volume four of the Spirit of Prophecy. (GC84 272.1; 4SP 307.1)

The original Scripture quotations in both the 1888 and 1911 editions were not changed during the lifetime of Mrs. White, but were revised in an updated text copyright as late as 1950; with the result that certain KJV texts were replaced with texts from the Revised Version. It is important to understand that this comes from the corrupt line of Alexandria, following down through the Douay-Rheims version, on through Westcott-Hort, and finally arriving to us as the Revised Version. The removal of the KJV and insertion of the RV text in the Great Controversy is directly attributable to the change in Adventist theology concerning the issue of the ‘Daily.’

Set Up or Cast Down?

‘Set up’ is the polar opposite of ‘cast down,’ and conveys an entirely different meaning than what was intended.

With this in mind, there are two possible views: If the thrones were ‘cast down,’ then it has reference to the termination of the ‘scattering’ by the Pagan and Papal system of monarchy. This view has for its foundation the ‘old view’ of the Daily, and connects the thrones to the removal of a satanic system. 

If the thrones were ‘set up,’ or ‘placed,’ then it would have reference to the process of judgment. The thrones are then seen only in connection with the investigative judgment, and not as two distinct events. This view has for its foundation the new view of the Daily, and connects these thrones to the placement of a Divine system.

To understand the significance of the change in wording, Daniel 7:9 should be compared with Daniel 8:13.

Daniel 8:13 points out the same two persecuting powers that are shown in Daniel 11:31 and Daniel 12:11—the Daily, and the transgression of desolation; identified in the old view as Paganism and Papalism. Also shown in verse 13 are the two things that are trodden down by these two persecuting powers—the sanctuary and the host.

Daniel 7:9 deals with two distinct things as well. The casting down of the Pagan and Papal thrones, marking the end of the scattering; and the Ancient of days being seated, marking the start of the judgment. The first removes the hindrance to the gathering and cleansing of God’s people—the host; and the second deals with the cleansing of the sanctuary. 

The new view of the Daily, with its corresponding new interpretation of Daniel 7:9, can only deal with the sanctuary, but cannot deal with the host. As a result, the larger perspective of the scattering and gathering of God’s people is lost. When this is lost, 1798 and 1844 cease to be the dividing lines in both the civil and spiritual realms. There is no explanation given, other than the Papacy received its deadly wound in 1798, and judgment began in 1844. It is unable to give the underlying principles for either, and can only place them under the umbrella of the time of the end.

This is one of the reasons why the 2520 is so bitterly opposed in Adventism, as it clearly shows the collective scattering of God’s people by Paganism and Papalism—1260 years by Paganism, and 1260 years by Papalism. The 2520 prophecy strikes directly at the new view of the Daily. Miller’s rules are opposed by Adventism for the same reason. The use of Miller’s rules will produce the old view of the Daily, and the use of the historical grammatical/higher critical methods will produce the new view.

The first seven verses of Daniel 7 set in place the four kingdoms of the Pagan system of monarchy; Babylon, Medo Persia, Greece, and Pagan Rome. The eighth verse sets in place the fifth kingdom of the Papal system of monarchy. They are referred to as thrones in the plural in verse nine, collectively showing that they were of the monarchial system.

These thrones were successively cast down by 1798, when the earthly system of monarchy was brought to an end; and then the Ancient of days did sit on October 22, 1844. It was only after the Pagan and Papal thrones were cast down that the true Monarch of the universe ‘did sit’ and the judgment process began.

The casting down of these five thrones, and the system they represent, sets the stage for the rise of the sixth kingdom, and the system that it represents. Again, this distinction is confirmed by John in Revelation 17:10—And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is…

The thrones that were ‘cast down’ are inclusive of the ten toes of Daniel 2, as they also were a part of the monarchial system. It signals the shift to the ten kings of Revelation 17. It takes us from the old world to the new world.

The Sixth Kingdom Swallows Up the Fifth Kingdom

“And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.” Revelation 12:16

The context of this verse starts in verse 14 where it details the 1260 years of Papal persecution from 538 to 1798. It was at the end of this time period, in 1798, that the earth began to help the woman, by opening her mouth, and swallowing up the flood.

The ’earth’ of Rev. 12:16 is directly connected to the ‘earth’ of Revelation 13:11—“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.”

These two texts are a direct reference to the USA as the sixth kingdom, when it provided a safe haven from Papal and kingly oppression. As we will see, the ‘swallowing up of the flood’ is the result of the push against the Papacy by the USA with its two horns. These two horns are at once a help to the church, and a threat to the Papacy.

The Old World to the New World

“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. Daniel 11:36

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.“ Daniel 11:40

Both of these texts are dealing with the same time period. In the first, the king—the Papacy—the fifth kingdom, shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished. The Papacy prospers in its reign for ‘a time and times and the dividing of time;’ for ‘a thousand two hundred and threescore days;’ for ‘a time, and times, and half a time;’ and for ‘forty and two months.’ Each of these prophecies identify the same 1260-year time period for the reign of the Papal power, from 538 AD to 1798 AD. (See GC 439.2; GC 266-67) The end of the Papal rule signals the end of the scattering time period of Paganism and Papalism combined, from 722 BC to 1798 AD, ‘for that that is determined shall be done.’  

‘And at the time of the end’ in verse 40, also brings us to this same place in history—1798 AD.  

“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 previously 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 of no question. One nation, and only one, meets the specifications of this prophecy; it points unmistakably to the United States of America.”  (GC440.1-2)

Here again, there is a line drawn at 1798, with a distinction made between the ‘Old World’ and the ‘New World.’  As we have seen, there are two dividing lines—1798 is the divide between the old world and the new, between the system of monarchy and republicanism, between the scattering time and the gathering time, and between the fifth kingdom of the Papacy to the sixth kingdom of the United States. This line deals with the civil powers, and has to do with the system of governance.

October 22, 1844 is the divide between prophetic time and prophetic events, between Christ’s ministry in the Holy Place to His ministry in the Most Holy Place. It is a line that brings in the distinct work of the Holy Spirit to gather and to purify the church. At this time special instruction begins to come to God’s people through the Spirit of Prophecy, the seventh day Sabbath becomes a test, and the judgment of the dead begins. The little book has been opened, Daniel is standing in his lot as the first and second angel’s messages were given from 1837 -1844, and now the third angel arrives. The foundation for the Seventh Day Adventist church has been securely laid. This line deals with the spiritual powers, which pertains not only to the system of worship, but specifically to the day of worship.

The point to emphasize again, is that it is at the establishment of the New World that the kings of the south and then the north are introduced. No longer are these kings defined in the conventional sense of a monarchy, and this is the transition we must see in order to correctly identify the kings of the south and north.

The Nature of the ‘Push’

‘And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him:’ Daniel 11:40

‘And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.’ Revelation 13:11   

As before, both of these texts occur at the 1798 time period. Daniel tells us that there is a power who rises against the Papacy, and the word ‘push,’ is the word he uses to describe the nature of this attack. John identifies the next succeeding power after the Papacy, and shows that it has two primary operating principles, symbolized as two horns.  

The Spirit of Prophecy defines it further for us:

“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. Among the Christian exiles who first fled to America and sought an asylum from royal oppression and priestly intolerance were many who determined to establish a government upon the broad foundation of civil and religious liberty. Their views found place in the Declaration of Independence, which sets forth the great truth that “all men are created equal” and endowed with the inalienable right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” And the Constitution guarantees to the people the right of self-government, providing that representatives elected by the popular vote shall enact and administer the laws. Freedom of religious faith was also granted, every man being permitted to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience. 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.  {GC 441.1}

The king of the south pushes at ‘him.’ We have already identified ‘him’ as the Papal power of verse 36. The question for us now to ask would be—What does the king of the south push with? In other words, how does this king oppose the system of the Papacy?

As we are beginning to see, it is the two horns of Republicanism and Protestantism that are used to push against the Papacy.

The words ‘push,’ ‘pushed,’ and ‘pushing’ are used a total of eleven times in the Bible, and with the exception of two references, they are always used in conjunction with horns.

Exodus 21:29—‘But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past…’

Deuteronomy 33:17—‘His glory is as the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends to the earth…’

1 Kings 22:11—‘And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the Lord, With these thou shalt push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them.’

Ezekiel 34:21—‘Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad;’

Daniel 8:3-4—‘…a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.  I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward, so that no beasts might stand before him…’

Daniel 11:40—‘And at the time of the end the king of the south shall push at him…’

Some of the texts are repeated and are not included. 

Miller’s Rule #5:

‘Scripture must be its own expositor, since it is a rule of itself. If I depend on a teacher to expound it to me, and he should guess at its meaning, or desire to have it so on account of his sectarian creed, or to be thought wise, then his guessing, desire, creed, or wisdom is my rule, and not the Bible.’

In the above texts the connection is clearly made that the horn is the primary means that is used to push against something else. In this case, the word ‘push’ is used to describe the nature of the attack against the Papacy, and the Bible lets us know that when this word is used, it is connected with horns.

Throughout his book, Daniel is dealing with two primary entities—Paganism and Papalism; comprising the first five kingdoms. It is how each of these kings conducted their warfare against their predecessor that is especially significant. In Daniel 8, the horn was the primary weapon that was used by each entity to attack the dominant power. In other words, it is the horn on each animal that inflicts the damage. The horn is used to portray the method of attack.

In the line of Daniel 2, the four pagan kingdoms are set forth.

In the line of Daniel 7, the characteristics of each kingdom are given, with the addition of the fifth kingdom.

In the line of Daniel 8, the methods of conquest are given.

Daniel does not tell us by what means Babylon was established initially, but does with the kingdoms that followed. The second kingdom is represented as a ram with two horns; one higher than the other, with the higher one coming up last. We know that it was the Medes and Persians who defeated Babylon, with the Persian monarchs taking over from the Medes. Daniel also saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward. How did it push? With its two horns.

The third kingdom is represented as a he-goat with a notable horn between his eyes. The Bible tells us that this horn represents Alexander the Great, of the empire of Greece. How does this he-goat defeat the ram? With its horn.

When we come down to the fourth and fifth kings, the horns play an integral part in the displacement of the preceding kingdom. The little horn is introduced next, in connection with Pagan Rome. In this case, Greece had already fragmented into four kingdoms, with no actual war that resulted in the subversion of Greece by Rome. Pagan Rome however, was next in line in the succession of kingdoms as the fourth king, and again the horn is the instrument employed to extend its territory to the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. Dan. 8:9

Papal Rome as the fifth king is also portrayed as a ‘little horn.’ Dan. 7:8 This little horn is used to uproot three of the ten divisions of Pagan Rome, which are themselves portrayed as horns.

The sixth kingdom then arrives with two horns as its primary weapon, which are directed at its predecessor. These two horns, representing Republicanism and Protestantism, are employed against the Papacy for the specific purpose of refuting the Papal and Pagan principles of an earthly system of monarchy.  This system of monarchy was set in place early on, in the attempt to build the tower of Babel.

Conclusion

These two dates in history—1798 and 1844, carry far more significance than we have realized, especially as they relate to the king of the south, and the king of the north, in the prophecy of Daniel 11.

It is at this time, 1798—the scattering of God’s people has been completed, the 1260 years of Papal supremacy has ended, and governance by the monarchial structure is finished—that a distinct power is brought to bear against the ideology of the Papacy in the civil realm. 

It is at the line of 1844 that a second distinct power is brought to bear against the ideologies of the Papacy, this time in the spiritual realm.

At each line, an entity is raised up to proclaim what that line defines: civil or spiritual; and each entity must then operate according to the conditions that are set forth: that is, the conditions of the gathering.

These two kings—the king of the South, and the king of the North, as the USA and Adventism, represent the kings of the civil and religious realms in the new world. The United States of America was raised up as the king of the nations, and the Seventh Day Adventist church was raised up as the king of the professing religious entities—the last ‘Protester’ against Rome.

From the tower of Babel until 1798, Satan has had special opportunity to demonstrate to the world his principles of government. The great sin of Israel was in asking for a king to rule over them according to the worldly system of monarchy, with the result that they were subjected and scattered by the very system they asked for. Here in our time, we are beginning to see this same system emerge in the USA and in Adventism, with the result that both are beginning to speak as a dragon.

Next Up

“And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand. Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.

And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.

And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.

And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.” Judges 16:26; 28-30

It was the removal of two specific things that resulted in the collapse of the structure, and it required the guidance of a certain lad to enable Samson, in his blinded condition, to bring about this great defeat. Even though he regained his strength, he did not regain his eyesight. In the next article we are going to look at the role of the king of the north in this context.

Until then,

God bless!