Identifying the King of the North and the Close of Probation

Daniel 11

1 Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.

2 And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.

3 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.

4 And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.

5 And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.

6 And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king’s daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.

7 But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail:

8 And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.

9 So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.

10 But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress.

11 And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.

12 And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.

13 For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.

14 And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.

15 So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand.

16 But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.

17 He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him.

18 After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him.

19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.

20 Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.

21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.

22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.

23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.

24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.

25 And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.

26 Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.

27 And both these kings’ hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.

28 Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.

29 At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.

30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.

31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.

32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.

33 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.

34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.

35 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.

36 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.

37 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.

38 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.

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.

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.

41 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.

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.

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.

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 king of the north in Daniel 11 refers to the power that occupies the territory originally held by Lysimachus following the division of Alexander the Great's empire, which is centered around ConstantinopleMON 30.2+1. In the current era, this territory corresponds to the Turkish dominionMON 30.2+1.

🏛️ Historical Origin and Geographic Definition

When Alexander the Great’s kingdom was broken, it was divided toward the four winds of heaven among his four leading generals Daniel 11:4DAR1909 249.2. These divisions are identified based on their location relative to Palestine, the home of the prophet DanielDAR1909 249.2.

• The King of the South: Originally governed by Ptolemy, this power occupied Egypt and neighboring countries to the south of PalestineDAR1909 249.2+1.

• The King of the North: Originally governed by Lysimachus, this division included Thrace and Asia Minor, situated on the European and Asiatic sides of the Bosphorus and DardanellesDAR1909 249.2+1.

While boundaries changed over centuries, the standard for identifying these powers remains the original territory; thus, any power occupying the northern division's territory is functionally the "king of the north"DAR1909 249.2+1. Historically, the Seleucid dynasty later gained control of this region, making their dominion "strong above" the south Daniel 11:5PTUK April 1, 1897, page 194.2.

⚔️ Conflicts of the Greco-Syriac Period

The middle portion of Daniel 11 describes a long series of wars and political maneuvers between these two divisionsSDP 193.1+1.

• Failed Unions: An attempt was made to unite the north and south through the marriage of Berenice (daughter of the king of the south) to Antiochus Theos (king of the north)SDP 193.1+1. This alliance failed because she did not "retain the power of the arm," and she, her child, and her supporters were eventually murdered Daniel 11:6SDP 193.1+1.

• Retaliation: Berenice's brother, Ptolemy Euergetes, stood up in his estate, invaded the fortress of the king of the north, and carried captives and precious vessels back to Egypt Daniel 11:7-9DAR1909 251.4+1.

• Later Campaigns: Following these events, the sons of the king of the north assembled great forces to overflow and pass through, leading to further battles where the king of the south was moved with "choler" and fought back Daniel 11:10-11GEP 211.4+1.

🦅 Transition to the Roman Power

In the middle of the chapter, specifically at verse 14, a new power enters the scene described as the "children of robbers" who exalt themselves to "establish the vision" Daniel 11:14GCDB March 2, 1899, page 136.8+1. This power is Rome, which eventually overwhelmed the Greek divisions and became the primary focus of the prophecyECE 1.2+1. Rome continued its career in both pagan and papal phases until the period known as the time of the endSYNPT 21.1+2.

🌍 The King of the North at the Time of the End

The "time of the end" began in 1798 when the papal supremacy was taken away Daniel 11:35EVRR321+1. At this specific time, the king of the north and the king of the south reappear as active participants in world events Daniel 11:40MON 30.2.

• Identity of the North: Since 1453 A.D., the territory of Constantinople has been ruled by the Turks; therefore, the king of the north at the time of the end is the Turkish EmpireMON 30.2+2.

• Identity of the South: Egypt remains the territory of the king of the southMON 30.2+2.

• The 1798 Conflict: In 1798, a "triple war" occurred involving France, Egypt (the south), and Turkey (the north)DAR1909 247+1. Egypt "pushed" at the French power under Napoleon, while the king of the north (Turkey) came against him like a whirlwind with many ships and horsemen Daniel 11:40APEC 97.2+1.

🏁 Final Fate

The prophecy concludes by stating that the king of the north shall plant the tabernacles of his palace in the glorious holy mountain, but he shall eventually come to his end with none to help him Daniel 11:45ARSH May 31, 1898, page 349.1+1. This event serves as a sign that Michael (the great Prince) is about to stand up, marking the beginning of the resurrection and the final deliverance of God's people Daniel 12:1-2ARSH May 31, 1898, page 349.1+1.

After the close of probation, the cases of the righteous are already decided and their sins have been blotted out, so they no longer need a mediator to plead for forgivenessJEO 77.3+2. Because they have been purified and have overcome every defect of character during their probationary time, they stand before God in a pure and spotless stateLDE 295.1+3.

🕊️ The End of Mediatorial Work

Human probation closes when Jesus finishes His work as a High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary and lays off His priestly garmentsGP 92.2+2. At that moment, He ceases His intercession for mankind because the work of atonement is completeJEO 77.3+2.

• No Mediator Needed: Once probation ends, the righteous live in the sight of a holy God without a mediator because there is no longer a necessity for one; they have been sealed and their characters are fixed for eternityEVRR237+2.

• The Final Decree: The close of probation is marked by the solemn announcement: "He that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still" Revelation 22:11ARSH September 17, 1861, page 124.12.

• Sins Blotted Out: Before Jesus leaves the sanctuary, the sins of the righteous living are blotted out and transferred to the antitypical scapegoatJEO 77.3+2.

🛡️ The Condition of the Saints

Those who have loved God and obeyed His commandments will be hidden in the "secret place of the Most High" during the time of trouble that follows the close of probation Psalms 91:1LDE 235.2. They have reached a state where they are fitted for heaven and will not change their disposition after the decree is passedLDE 295.1+1.

• A Purified People: The Holy Spirit falls in the "latter rain" upon a purified people to prepare them for the final crisis prior to the close of probationEVRR650.

• The Seal of God: Prior to the close of probation, the living righteous receive the seal of the living God, which provides them with protection during the outpouring of the seven last plagues1SM 66.2+2.

• Character is Final: The traits of character cherished during life are not changed by death or the resurrection; therefore, the work of transformation must be done before probation endsLDE 295.1+1.

🚫 The State of the Wicked

In contrast to the righteous, the door of mercy is closed to the wicked once probation endsLDE 235.2+1. No more prayers are offered in their behalf, and they realize too late that the day of grace has passed foreverLDE 235.2+2.

• No More Mercy: When the mandate goes forth, mercy ceases to plead for the guilty, and the wrath of God is poured out without mixture Revelation 14:10ARSH September 17, 1861, page 124.12+1.

• Late Seekers: The wicked will eventually seek the word of the Lord and the mercy they once slighted, but they will find that probation for the human family has ended foreverARSH September 17, 1861, page 124.12+2.

• Enviable Position: At that time, the position of the righteous will be truly enviable to those who are suffering for their sins, as the righteous are under the pavilion of the Lord's protectionLDE 235.2.

⏳ The Importance of the Present

Because there is no further opportunity for character change or forgiveness after the close of probation, the present time is of the utmost importance for preparation16MR 207.3+2.

• Preparation Time: Now is the time to form characters that God can approve and to wear the yoke of obedience that Christ woreLDE 295.1+2.

• Day of Atonement: We are currently living in the great antitypical day of atonement, a time when sins must be sent beforehand to judgment through confession and repentanceTR 12.2+2.

• Accountability: Every individual is deciding their own destiny for eternal life or eternal ruin based on how they occupy this probationary periodYI February 19, 1903, par. 2+2.