Who is the King of the North?

By COGwriter

In the Book of Daniel there is a chapter about someone identified as the "King of the North." Nearly all Bible scholars recognize that certain prophecies associated with the King of the North have been fulfilled historically.

The question is, will there be a future King of the North? And if so, who is he?

This article will look at many of the verses in the 11th chapter of the Book of Daniel, commentary by Herbert W. Armstrong, Roman Catholic prophecies, and the Bible to attempt to determine who any future King of the North may be. Here are links to two related videos: The King of the North is Alive: What to Look Out For and The Future King of the North.

The article starts off discussing historical fulfillments that some readers may be interested in, whereas others may wish to focus on the more prophetic aspects. (In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte?)

Who Was the King of the North?

Here are many quotes to Daniel chapter 11 from the booklet, "The Middle East in Prophecy," 1972 edition by the late Worldwide Church of God Pastor General Herbert W. Armstrong that basically agree with many non-Church of God theologians and commentators:

The "King of the North" and the "King of the South"

The first verse of the 11th chapter is a continuation from the last verse of the 10th chapter. The angel says to Daniel, "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. And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will" (Dan. 11:2-3).

Actually there were 12 more kings in the Persian Empire, but only the first four following Cyrus were of importance for the purpose of this prophecy. They were Cambyses, pseudo-Smerdis, Darius and Xerxes. It was the last, or Xerxes, who was the richest of all and stirred up war with Greece.

Then King Philip of Macedonia planned a great war to conquer the Persian Empire, with an army made up mostly of Grecians. He died before the plans were completed. But his son, Alexander the Great, took over his plans, and invaded Persia. He met the Persian army at the Battle of Issus, 333 B.C. (Dan. 8:2, 5-6). Then he swept down into Egypt, and then to a final crushing defeat of the Persian Empire at the Battle of Arbella, 331 B.C., after which Alexander marched on a conquest clear to India, sweeping all before him.

Notice now verse 4 of the prophecy: "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."

How marvelously — how accurately — that came to pass. We quote from one of the authoritative English-language histories published in the last century, A Manual of Ancient History (Student Series) by Rawlinson: "Cut off unexpectedly in the vigor of early manhood [the 33rd year of his age, June, 323 B.C.], he [Alexander] left no inheritor, either of his power or of his projects" (p. 237). The Empire was left leaderless and in confusion, but out of this emerged, by the year 301 B.C., four divisions, just as prophesied, as a result of a division of the Empire into four divisions by Alexander's generals. They were:

1. Ptolemy (Soter), ruling Egypt, part of Syria and Judea.

2. Seleucus (Nicator), ruling Syria, Babylonia and territory east to India.

3. Lysimachus, ruling Asia Minor.

4. Cassander, ruling Greece and Macedonia.

Thus was the prophecy of verse 4 fulfilled to the letter.

Now notice what follows. From here the prophecy foretells the activities only of two of these four divisions: Egypt, called "king of the south," because it is south of Jerusalem; and the Syrian kingdom, the king of the north, just north of Judea. It is because the Holy Land passed back and forth between those two divisions, and because their different wars were principally over possession of Judea, that the prophecy is concerned with them. Here is verse 5:

"And the king of the south [Egypt] 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." In history, we learn that the original Ptolemy I, called Soter, became strong and powerful, developing Egypt beyond the greatest dreams of Alexander. One of his princes, or generals, Seleucus Nicator, also became strong and powerful. And, in 312 B.C., taking advantage of Ptolemy's being tied up in a war, he established himself in Syria, and assumed the diadem as king.

Verse 6 says, "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 [margin, "rights" or "equitable conditions," or "marriage union"]: 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."

Fulfilled to the Letter!

At the end of 50 years, this occurred exactly as described!

Syria's ruler, the king of the north, at this time was Antiochus II, called Theos. His wife was named Laodice. And, says Rawlinson's Ancient History, page 251, "Her influence ... engaged him in a war with Ptolemy Philadelphus [king of the south], B.C. 260, which is terminated, B.C. 252, by a marriage between Antiochus and Bernice, Ptolemy's daughter."

The prophecy says "he that begat her" shall be given up. Also that she shall not retain the power of the arm, neither shall the king of the north, whom she married, stand. All three are to come to their end. Notice how accurately this came to pass.

Says Rawlinson's History, pages 251 and 252: "On the death of Philadelphus [he that begat her], B.C. 247, Antiochus repudiated Bernice, and took back his former wife, Laodice, who, however, doubtful of his constancy, murdered him to secure the throne for her son Seleucus (II) B.C. 246 ... Bernice ... had been put to death by Laodice."

Nowhere in all the Bible is there so literal a prophecy, giving so many details of future history. And to read an ancient history of these kingdoms is simply to see unfolded before your eyes, step by step, verse by verse, this marvelous prophecy. There can be no doubt of its right application!

The Holy Land Changes Hands

Next let us notice verse 7: "But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate [margin, "in his office"], 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."

"Out of a branch," or "shoot," of her roots. Her parents were her roots. Hence, this must be her brother, who next should occupy the throne of king of the south and fulfill this prophecy. Now listen to this accurate fulfillment, quoted word for word from the same page of Rawlinson's work (p. 252):

"Ptolemy Euergetes [the III, eldest son of Philadelphus (p. 272) and therefore Bernice's brother, a branch of her roots] invaded Syria, B.C. 245, to avenge the murder of his sister, Bernice ... .In the war which followed, he carried everything before him."

The eighth verse of Daniel 11 says this king of the south would carry captives and vessels of silver and gold into Egypt, and continue to reign more years than the king of the north, who at that time was Seleucus II, and verse 9 says he shall return into Egypt. As verse 7 said he should "enter into the fortress of the king of the north," Ptolemy III did seize the fortress of Syria, Seleucia, the port of Antioch, capital of the kingdom! Then he carried back to Egypt immense booty and 2,500 molten images and idolatrous vessels which, in 526 B.C. Cambyses had carried away from Egypt. He continued to rule until 222 B.C., while the king of the north, Seleucus II, died in 226 B.C.

When he died, his two sons took over the kingdom of the north; first Seleucus III, 226-223 B.C., who ruled only three years, and then his brother Antiochus III, called "the Great," 223-187 B.C. Both of these two sons of Seleucus II assembled immense forces to war against Egypt, avenge their father, and recover their port and fortress, Seleucia.

And this was accurately prophesied in verse 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 [margin, "be stirred up again"], even to his fortress."

"And," continues verse 11, "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."

In fulfillment of the latter part of verse 10, Antiochus the Great, after 27 years, recovered his fortress, Seleucia, and he also conquered the territory of Syria, as far as Gaza, including Judea. But the young Egyptian king, now Ptolemy IV (Philopater), was roused, and with an army of 20,000 inflicted severe defeat on Antiochus the Great; and fulfilling verse 12, he killed tens of thousands and again annexed Judea to Egypt. But he was not strengthened, for he made a rash and speedy peace with Antiochus, and returned to dissipation, throwing away the fruits of victory. Says verse 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."

"For," as verse 13 continues, "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." It was "after certain years," or 12 years later, 205 B.C., that Ptolemy Philopator died, leaving his throne to an infant son, Ptolemy Epiphanes. Then Antiochus assembled a greater army, and won great victories.

He then made a treaty allying Philip of Macedonia with him, and others, against Egypt, and they wrested Phoenicia and southern Syria from the king of the south. In this they were assisted by some of the Jews. Josephus' Jewish history says many Jews helped Antiochus. But notice how accurately Almighty God had foretold this, hundreds of years before it happened! —

"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" (v. 14).

Read It in Your Own Bible!

To save space, the reader is asked from this point to read each verse of the prophecy from his own Bible, thus saving us reprinting the prophecy in full here. We give here only the facts in history.

Verses 15-16 — "the glorious land," of course, refers to Judea, the Holy Land. Antiochus the Great besieged and took Sidon from Egypt, ruined the interests of Egypt in Judea at the Battle of Mount Panium, 198 B.C., and then Antiochus took possession of Judea.

Verse 17 — "upright ones" ... In 198 B.C., Antiochus arranged a marriage between his daughter, Cleopatra (not the Cleopatra of 31 B.C. in Egypt) and young Ptolemy Epiphanes, king of the south, by which he hoped subtly to gain complete possession of Egypt; but the plan failed.

Says Rawlinson, page 254, "Coele-Syria and Palestine promised as a dowry, but not delivered." Cleopatra did not truly stand on the side of Antiochus, for it was only a trick to gain possession of Egypt.

Verse 18 — and so Antiochus turned his attention in another direction and tried to conquer, 197 to 196 B.C., the islands and coasts of Asia Minor. But the Roman general, Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus, utterly defeated him at the Battle of Magnesia, 190 B.C.

Verse 19 — Antiochus next turned his attention to the fortresses of his own land, in the east and west. But, attempting to recruit his dissipated wealth by the plunder of the Oriental Temple of Belus, in Elymais, he was killed, 187 B.C.

Verse 20 — Seleucus IV Philopator (187-176), his son, in an effort to raise money, sent a tax collector, Heliodorus, through Judea. But he reigned only 11 years, when Heliodorus poisoned him.

Verse 21 — he left no heir. But his brother, a younger son of Antiochus the Great, named Epiphanes (Antiochus IV), a contemptible reprobate, came by surprise and through flattery took the kingdom. To his aid came his assistant, Eumenes. Rawlinson says, page 255, "Antiochus [Epiphanes], assisted by Eumenes, drives out Heliodorus, and obtains the throne, B.C. 176. He astonishes his subjects by an affectation of Roman manners" and "good-natured profuseness [flattery]."

Antiochus Epiphanes

Verse 22 — "the prince of the covenant" does not refer to Christ. This was the attempt of Antiochus to replace the Jewish high priest by another who would be subservient to him.

Verses 23-24 — although only a few were with him at first, yet by this "Roman manner," by deceit and flattery, he crept into power and prospered. He also invaded Galilee and Lower Egypt. His fathers, the former kings of Syria, had favored the Jews, but says Rawlinson, page 255, they "were driven to desperation by the mad project of this self-willed monarch."

Verse 25 — Rawlinson, pages 255-256, says, "Threatened with war by the ministers of Ptolemy Philometor [now king of the south], who claim Coele-Syria and Palestine as the dowry of Cleopatra, the late queen-mother, Antiochus marches against Egypt ... B.C. 171" (pp. 277-278). But he was met by his nephew, Ptolemy Philometor, king of the south, with another immense army. But the Egyptian king was defeated through the treachery of his own officers and was outwitted by Antiochus.

Verses 26-27 — continuing in Rawlinson, page 278: "After his victory at Pelusium, Antiochus advanced to Memphis, and having obtained possession of the young king's person [Ptolemy Philometor, king of the south], endeavored to use him as a tool for effecting the entire reduction of the country." In 174 B.C., the uncle of the king of the south sat at a banquet. Antiochus pretended to ally himself with the young Ptolemy, against his brother, Euergetes II, but each was trying to deceive the other.

The Abomination of Desolation

Verse 28 — in 168 B.C., returning from Egypt with great plunder, Antiochus set himself against the Jews, massacred many, and then returned to Antioch with golden vessels from the Temple at Jerusalem.

Verse 29 — the same year, he again invaded Egypt, but with none of his former success, because Philometor, king of the south, got help from Rome.

Verse 30 — the Roman fleet came against Antiochus, he was forced to surrender to the terms of Popillius, commander of the Roman fleet, and retire from Egypt and restore Cyprus to Egypt. Returning through Judea, smarting under the defeat, he vented his exasperation against the Jews, and extended special favors to those Jews who would turn from their religion.

Verse 31 — then, 167 B.C., the next year, came the climax of the horror. Antiochus sent troops to the Holy Land, who desecrated the Temple and sanctuary, abolished the daily sacrifice (see also Daniel 8:11, 24) and (Kislev 15, Hebrew calendar) placed the abomination — an image — on the altar in the Temple precincts, making it desolate (Rawlinson, p. 255). Many who claim to teach the Bible try to apply the prophecy of this verse to Moslems in the 7th century A.D., building the Dome of the Rock on the supposed site of the ancient Temple at Jerusalem! But every verse of this prophecy, step by step, verse by verse, unfolded in actual history, just as here recounted, so there can be not the slightest shadow of doubt as to this abomination that "maketh desolate" — it was an idol set up in 167 B.C., by Antiochus Epiphanes.

Now the above quotes do show that many prophecies associated with the King of the North have had a type of fulfillment. And that is correct. They also correctly show that the individuals who fulfilled the role of the King of the North were Greco-Romans, whose base of power for most (if not all) of them was in Europe.

I should also add that in other literature, Herbert W. Armstrong also taught that much in Bible prophecy is dual. Here is a statement from his day:

...at least a part of Daniel 11 must also be DUAL! And no wonder, for we find the chapter concludes with the "time of the end" (verse 40) - leading up to the resurrection of the saints (chapter 12 :2). (Ambassador College Bible Correspondance Course, Lesson 2, World Peace Coming in Our Time! 1972 edition, p. 14)

Thus, even though there were historical fulfillments, he also taught that there would be future fulfillments of many verses of Daniel 11 beginning with vs. 31 and apparently earlier (like to verse 20 or 21 as will be shown later). And under his direction, his church taught that the King of the North would unite the people of Europe:

The indication is the armies of the "beast" of Revelation 17, entering Jerusalem (...Zech. 14:2), will stop this "daily sacrifice"...And the abomination that maketh desolate set up." What is this abomination? This refers to Daniel 11:31 and Matthew 24:15...From this time (Daniel 12:11) to Christ's coming will be 1290 days (Armstrong HW. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General's Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979, Page 2).

The Hitler-Mussolini kingdom was the sixth head of the beast. The next leader to unite the peoples of Europe will constitute the "beast" mentioned in Daniel and Revelation. He will also be the "king of the north" mentioned in Daniel 11...The king of the north is going to move to Mount Zion, and he will be joined there by a false prophet who will work great miracles (McNair, Raymond. Watch the Middle East. The Good News, August, 1974, pp. 10-15).

And the abomination that maketh desolate set up." What is this abomination? This refers to Daniel 11:31 and Matthew 24:15...From this time (Daniel 12:11) to Christ's coming will be 1290 days. Now, verse 12, "Blessed is he that waiteth, and comes to the 1335 days." Never before have we understood these periods of 1260, 1290. and 1335 days. But it seems evident, now, a blessing is pronounced on us--GOD"S CHURCH--who wait and endure until the 1335 days--approximately 1335 days prior to Christ's coming. But since no one can know the day or hour of His coming, we probably shall not be able to know the exact day this 1335 days begins... That will be a time when the UNITED Europe shall appear--the revival of the medieval "Holy Roman Empire." (Armstrong HW. Personal, The Time We are In, Now. Good News magazine January 1980).

As the above shows, Herbert W. Armstrong clearly wrote that there would be a future fulfillment of Daniel 11:31 (later I will quote where he shows verse 21 as future fulfillment) and other verses in Daniel. And as the above shows, he taught that something would afflict the Church/work forty-five days prior to Daniel 11:31. And that around when the revival of the "Holy Roman Empire"--which scripture shows will be led by the King of the North--will occur and the 1335 days will begin (which is apparently 75 days prior to the start of the Great Tribulation). Hence those writings support the idea looking at the few verses prior to Daniel 11:31 to see what might stop the work is consistent with the intent of what he wrote. In addition, Matthew 24:14, which comes just before Matthew 24:15, states that the gospel will be preached and then the end will come, thus this is another reason why confirmation for the organized work ending should be found prior to Daniel 11:31 or perhaps Daniel 11:33 as many will be reached then.

Because the 1290 days starts with Daniel 11:31, the 1335 days must begin prior to that, such as in Daniel 11:28 or 11:30--a time of persecution for the Philadelphians. The basic understanding that the old WCG had was that the Philadelphian Christians may have up to 75 days notice that the Great Tribulation would start, and that they would need to flee per Revelation 12:14-16. The idea is/was that one would wait 1335 days, as Daniel 12 state, that being 1260 in a place of safety plus the 75 days prior (1260 + 75 = 1335). And essentially a famine of the word would occur.

The Bible warns a time will come when people will not be able to find the truth:

12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it. (Amos 8:12, KJV)

The above will apparently happen after Daniel 11:33 is fulfilled, but portions may begin as early as Daniel 11:28. This is NOT a time without any Bibles as they are in many places, but most likely a loss of broadcast ability on places like the internet. With FCC "net neutrality" rules (they were approved to start to use in late 2010), we are getting close to that time when governments will be too offended by the truth and some will take steps to stop it from being proclaimed. Perhaps under the guise of "neutrality," perhaps under the guise of "The Patriot Act," perhaps under the guise of "public welfare" or national security, something will be done to stop perhaps all of the organized media efforts to proclaim biblical truths.

Furthermore, on August 11, 2011, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom stated that he wanted Scotland Yard to consider stopping suspected rioters from having the ability to utilize "social media" that involved the internet (see UK’s Cameron May Call Out the Troops and Restrict Social Media)--thus the idea of interference with the ability to proclaim the gospel that way may fulfill what the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong understood, just prior to the start of the Great Tribulation.

Since then, the amount of governmental surveillance seems to have increased and this will assist the rising Beast power (see also Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power?).

The work (in the Amos 8:12 sense) may be stopped by government officials (like on the internet, television, etc.) and persecutions began because people of the holy covenant are warning the world of the results of their sins (which they will not want pointed out) and teaching that the King of the North is fulfilling these prophecies in Daniel 11. The faithful may be saying things that are not "politically correct" to the point that one or more governments will take action (especially if we are saying, and I expect to help do this, that a certain individual is the King of the North and that he will invade and destroy the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, etc.).

Yet, God's work still will be accomplished and the final phase of the work completed.

There is a Future King of the North

Before going further, it needs to be pointed out that the leader of the ten-horned Beast of Revelation 13:1-10 (see Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation) and the one called 666 in Revelation 13:18 (see SDA/COG Differences: 666) is also the one who is the final "King of the North." Hence there is a future King of the North.

Notice something from Daniel 8:

9 And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land. 10 And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. 11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. 12 Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. (Daniel 8:9-12)

So, something small will develop into an empire--this is a European empire--this began with Benelux to the EEC to the current EU (see also The European Union and the Seven Kings of Revelation 17).

Consider that it is a 'prince' who takes away the daily sacrifices in Daniel 9:27, and that he is also called the King of the North (Daniel 11:40) who stops the sacrifices in Daniel 11:31.

The late Dr. Herman Hoeh wrote:

Turn in your Bible to verse 9: “And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.” …

The King of the North

The little horn in Daniel 8 is none other than the LAST KING of one of the four divisions of Alexander's Empire. He is, in fact, the final "King of the North" described in Daniel 11. ... The Roman system of government became the "Kingdom of the North." It has existed to our time in Europe. In the Middle Ages it was called the Holy Roman Empire. ... In Daniel 11 the last King of the North is pictured ... That "little horn" — the final "king of the north" — is about to manifest himself on the world scene! (Hoeh H. The 2300 Days. Plain Truth, August 1965)

We have seen the growth of the 'little horn,' and soon the final King of the North, will be on the world scene in charge of a European power.

As far as the sequence of Daniel 11 goes, notice that Herbert W. Armstrong wrote the following:

In Daniel 11:21, referring in original, typical fulfillment to Antiochus Epiphanes, there shall stand up a vile person...So once again before the second coming of Christ, a vile leader will stop the daily sacrifices being offered...This same prophecy spoken by Jesus is also reported by Luke...21:20-24 (Armstrong HW. Personal, Plain Truth magazine, June 1967).

Thus, Herbert W. Armstrong clearly taught that starting at least from verse 21, that Daniel 11 had a dual/future fulfillment. We are getting very close to the fulfillment of Daniel 11:21.

Now, let’s see that the Bible teaches that before the final King of the North rises up, there will come a raiser of taxes:

20 “There shall arise in his place one who imposes taxes on the glorious kingdom; but within a few days he shall be destroyed, but not in anger or in battle. 21 And in his place shall arise a vile person, … (Daniel 11:20-21a)

Time is getting short (see Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?). And if various taxes are soon raised in Europe (and some have been proposed), this may signal how close we may be to the rising up of the final King of the North, and also the Antichrist.

The “vile person” is the final King of the North (who is also the final Beast of the Sea of Revelation 13:1-10).

Notice what is shown after verse 20:

21 And there shall stand up in his place one despised, and the kingly honour shall not be given him: and he shall come privately, and shall obtain the kingdom by fraud. (Daniel 11:21, Douay-Rheims)

21 “‘His place will be taken by a reject, a man spurned and passed over for advancement. He’ll surprise everyone, seemingly coming out of nowhere, and will seize the kingdom. (Daniel 11:21 from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

21 And in his place shall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue. 22 With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant. 23 And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. 24 He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time. (Daniel 11:21-24)

A disgraced man will arise. And this leader will promise peace and prosperity. He will make a deal with a small amount of people to gain power (cf. Revelation 17:12-13; see also Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?).

Greco-Roman Catholic prophecy tells of someone like that:

Anonymou Paraphrasis (10th century): Men thought of him that he is a nobody and useful for nothing. (Tzima Otto, The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Scriptural Prophecies, p. 32)

Brother Louis Rocco (died 1840): A Catholic descendant of a German imperial house (Hapsburg?) will rule a united Germany with peace, prosperity and great power, for God will be with this sovereign (Great Monarch?) . (Culleton, The Prophets and Our Times. Imprimatur Bishop P.G. Scher, November 15, 1941. TAN reprint, p. 195).

Anonymou Paraphrasis (10th century): And the name of his Father is divine [or august, i.e. having an "imperial title"]. (Tzima Otto, The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Scriptural Prophecies, p. 40)

That Hapsburg comment was added by Priest Culleton. An imperial title could possibly include something like duke or baron.

So, perhaps a disgraced Hapsburg? See also: Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North?

This same vile leader of Daniel 11, who appears at the "appointed time" of "the end" is described without that King of the North title in Daniel 8:

19 And he said, "Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be...23 "And in the latter time of their kingdom, When the transgressors have reached their fullness, A king shall arise, Having fierce features, Who understands sinister schemes. 24 His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; He shall destroy fearfully, And shall prosper and thrive; He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people. 25 "Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; And he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; But he shall be broken without human means. 26 "And the vision of the evenings and mornings Which was told is true; Therefore seal up the vision, For it refers to many days in the future." (Daniel 8:19,23-26)

This King is also the "Beast" that the ten kings give their power to in Revelation 17:12-13 (see also Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?). He is also the seventh king of Revelation 17:10, and becomes so with the fulfillment of Revelation 17:13.

But notice the portion of Daniel 8:23 that I bolded above. This King rises up when the transgressors have reached their fullness, which suggests that this is about when God has had enough of the increasing immorality in nations like the U.S.A. as well as in Europe. Immorality is increasing in the Western lands, and will get to the point that the King will rise up.

Perhaps it may be of historical interest to note that even though some modern Protestant (see The Dangerous Rise of Preterists) and Catholic scholars believe that all of Daniel 11 was fulfilled (e.g. Kurz, W. What Does the Bible Say About the End Times? A Catholic View. Servant Books, Cincinnati. Nihil Obstat: Kistner H., Schehr T.P. Imprimi Potest: Link F., Paul J.M. Imprimatur: Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 19, 2004, p. 68), that this is not consistent with the teachings of many earlier Catholic teachers.

For one example, even though he confused the Antichrist as being the King of the North (as many others do), the late 4th century Catholic Jerome felt that from at least verse 22 (and Jerome starts by quoting verse 22, despite verse 24 being listed in the source) on, that a future fulfillment involving a King of the North would occur as Jerome wrote:

Verse 24. "And there shall stand up in his place one despised, and the kingly honor shall not be given him; and he shall come privately and shall obtain the kingdom by fraud. And the arms of the fighter shall be overcome before his face and shall be broken, and the prince of the covenant as well. And after friendly advances he shall deal deceitfully with him, and shall go up and shall overcome with a small people. And he shall enter into rich and prosperous cities, and shall do things which his fathers never did, nor his fathers' fathers. He shall scatter their spoil and their booty and their wealth, and shall undertake plots against the best fortified cities, and shall continue thus for a time." Up to this point the historical order has been followed...But those of our persuasion believe all these things are spoken prophetically of the Antichrist who is to arise in the end time...Verses 40, 41...the king of the North...(Jerome. Commentary on Daniel, Chapter 11. Translated by Gleason L. Archer. (1958). http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/jerome_daniel_02_text.htm viewed 12/20/08).

And Jerome also specifically believed that the deal in Daniel 11:27 would have future fulfillment as it was not fully fulfilled in ancient times:

Verses 27----30. "And the heart of the two kings shall be to do evil, and they speak falsehood at one table, and they shall not prosper, because as yet the end is unto another time. And he shall return into his land with much riches." There is no doubt but what Antiochus did conclude a peace with Ptolemy and ate at the same table with him and devised plots against him, and yet without attaining any success thereby, since he did not obtain his kingdom but was driven out by Ptolemy's soldiers. But it cannot be proved from this set of facts that the statement of this Scripture was ever fulfilled by past history, namely that there were two kings whose hearts were deceitful and who inflicted evil upon each other. Actually, Ptolemy was a mere child of tender years and was taken in by Antiochus' fraud; how then could he have plotted evil against him? And so our party insist that all these things refer to the Antichrist and to the king of Egypt whom he has for the first time overcome...(Jerome. Commentary on Daniel, Chapter 11. Translated by Gleason L. Archer. (1958). http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/jerome_daniel_02_text.htm viewed 12/20/08).

The specific word translated as ‘the end’ (Strong’s 4150) in vs. 27 is the same as in vs. 45 where the king of the North comes to his final end. It is also in vs. 40 when the king of the North invades the king of the South (which is the last time the term 'king of the South' is mentioned as this leads to his end)--Jerome specifically refers to Egypt as the King of the South when he discusses verses 40-41. Thus, it is a long held view that there is a future King of the North as these scriptures have not been fulfilled in their entirety.

Notice also something from three Protestant sources related to Daniel 11:40:

At the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him; in the last times, towards the end of the world, for it cannot be true of Antiochus, who died the eleventh year of his reign, and these things are joined to the last resurrection Daniel 12:2. (Matthew Poole's Commentary)

And at the time of the end,.... At the end of the time appointed of God, when antichrist is arrived to the height of his power and authority: shall the king of the south push at him; not Philometor king of Egypt; nor is Antiochus meant in the next clause by the king of the north; for, after he was required by the Romans to quit the land of Egypt, there was no more war between him and the king of Egypt; rather therefore the Saracens are meant by the king of the south, as Mr. Mede (y) and Cocceius think, who came from the south, from Arabia Felix: and so Gravius interprets it of the king or caliph of the Saracens, and his successors; who, extending their empire through Asia and Africa, repressed the attempts of the Roman antichrist affecting primacy in the east; and this way goes Mr. Mede, who takes them to be the same with the locusts in Revelation 9:3, that distressed antichrist: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind; not Antiochus, as before observed; (Gill's Expository of the Entire Bible)

And at the time of the end - See Daniel 11:35. The "time of the end" must properly denote the end or consummation of the series of events under consideration, or the matter in hand, and properly and obviously means here the end or consummation of the transactions which had been referred to in the previous part of the vision. It is equivalent to what we should say by expressing it thus: "at the winding up of the affair." In Daniel 12:4, Daniel 12:9, Daniel 12:13, the word "end," however, obviously refers to another close or consummation - the end or consummation of the affairs that reach far into the future - the final dispensation of things in this world. It has been held by many that this could not be understood as referring to Antiochus, because what is here stated did not occur in the close of his reign. (Barnes Notes on the Bible)

So, although some discount the idea of the future King of the North, leaders from COG, Roman Catholic, and Protestant backgrounds confirm that the Bible shows that there must be.

666

Regarding 666, the Bible teaches the following:

18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666 (Revelation 13:18).

The first writing that have been found that suggests that a Roman is 666 was by Irenaeus, who claimed to have listened to Polycarp when he (Irenaeus) was a young man. Irenaeus wrote:

Then also Lateinos (LATEINOS) has the number six hundred and sixty-six; and it is a very probable [solution], this being the name of the last kingdom [of the four seen by Daniel] (Irenaeus. Adversus haereses, Book V, Chapter 30, Verse 3. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

The Future King of the North and Daniel 11

Where does this King clearly appear in the sequence of Daniel 11?

Verses 21-26 of Daniel 11 may show and/or parallel later portions of that chapter (specifically Daniel 11:27-43). Verse 20 may start the final fulfillment and verse 24 shows that this leader will after first seem to be promoting peace but also is accumulating wealth--perhaps gold reserves from various ones and/or wealth from the Vatican (see also When can the Great Tribulation Begin?).

Biblically it is clear that the future and final King of the North is the king mentioned who will come to his end at the "appointed time," verse 27 onwards clearly has future fulfillment in the end time. This "appointed time" (Strong’s word #4150) is first mentioned in Daniel 11:27 which suggest it is in the future and as well in vss. 29 and 35 which appear to be the specific time.

However, prior to being referred to as "the King of the North" he initially appears to be referred to as a "prince" in Daniel 9:26-27 (perhaps it should be mentioned that as of July 13th,2008, there actually was a president of the north, as well as one for the south, for details from the New York Times, please see The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy). Hence while this leader somehow is a "prince," he apparently will have some role in making some type of treaty with Israel (and probably including the United States as the covenant is "with many" per Daniel 9:27; see also The 'Peace Deal' of Daniel 9:27) approximately 3 1/2 years before the Great Tribulation begins (one is normally a "prince" before one becomes a "king"). As this deal has still not been made, this would suggest that contrary to claims of various false prophets the great tribulation will not begin prior to 2017 (more details on this are included in the articles When Can the Great Tribulation Begin?). The Eastern Orthodox may also find it of interest to note that Origen of Alexandria had writings suggesting that he believed in a future King of the North (Origen's Comments related to 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. As shown in Culleton R. Gerald. The Reign of Antichrist, TAN Books, Rockford, IL, pp. 107-108).

The Great Tribulation will also not start before there is an actual King of the South and an actual King of the North--and while the "prince" will apparently help make a deal with Israel, Daniel 11:27 requires two kings, which suggests that the "prince" will gain more and more importance sometime after the deal in Daniel 9:27 (see also The 'Peace Deal' of Daniel 9:27). Daniel 9:26-27 shows that this prince comes from the people of the old Roman Empire. This prince rules the final Beast power of Revelation 13:1, the beast of the sea. The Bible is clear that the “Great Sea” (a term used in the Old Testament, but not as specified as such in the New Testament) where the Beasts of Daniel 7 come from, is the Mediterranean Sea (e.g. Joshua 9:1, 23:4; Ezekiel 47:15). The Beast power is not a nation like Russia, which does not border the Mediterranean Sea, but Europe which does (Is Russia the King of the North?).

The Book of Daniel specifically shows that the King of the South (a confederation of peoples in North Africa and the Middle East per Daniel 11:40-43; cf. Ezekiel 30:1-9) will make a deal with the King of the North, but that neither side is trustworthy:

27 Both these kings' hearts shall be bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end will still be at the appointed time (Daniel 11:27, NKJV for remaining verses unless otherwise specified).

Various events in Europe and the Middle East show that the stage is set to fulfill these and other Bible prophecies. Since certain Islamists have utilized terrorism as a major weapon in the past and the Bible teaches that terror will be one of the curses that the descendants of Jacob will face for disobedience (Leviticus 26:16; Jeremiah 15:8), this deal may include the King of the South agreeing to utilize terrorism as part of his contribution to eliminate the Anglo-nations (which are those with the "strongest fortresses" in verse 39 who are destroyed).

Somewhat oddly, something upsets the King of the North even though he feels that he made a very good deal:

28 While returning to his land with great riches, his heart shall be moved against the holy covenant; so he shall do damage and return to his own land (Daniel 11:28).

This verse about his heart being "moved against the holy covenant" may be referring to the fact that some of God's people are warning against what the deal in verse 27 means. Notice verse 28 from a different translation:

28 Then the king of the north will return to his country with great treasures. But on the way, he will attack the religion of God's people and do whatever else he pleases (Daniel 11:28, CEV--Contemporary English Version).

Since it is the Church of God religion that historically is the "religion of God's people" (for many details, see Continuing History of the Church of God) and its members are the ones who fulfill the new covenant by having the law written into their hearts, it seems likely that the literal expression "holy covenant" refers to the most faithful of the true Christians (cf. Luke 1:72-75; Hebrews 8:8-12; Daniel 12:7). It appears that God's people are teaching something publicly that the King of the North does not want taught--otherwise he would have little reason to bother to attack such a "little flock" (Luke 12:32). This is about the time that the "one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days" days (1335 days) mentioned in Daniel 12:12 begin--although it may not be until the next verse or two.

The Bible show that this king of the North will persecute God's people, have major power for 3 1/2 years, and intend to change times and laws:

24 The ten horns are ten kings
Who shall arise from this kingdom.
And another shall rise after them;
He shall be different from the first ones,
And shall subdue three kings.
25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High,
Shall persecute the saints of the Most High,
And shall intend to change times and law.
Then the saints shall be given into his hand
For a time and times and half a time. (Daniel 7:24-25)

5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:5-10)

Time, times, and half a time is 3 1/2 years as is 42 months--essentially 1260 days.

While I believe that the "religion of God's people" in Daniel 11:28 specifically includes the remnant of the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God, it may or may not include others like the Sardis remnant as it has a name that it is alive while it is dead, or the Laodiceans as their work will most likely be too lukewarm to wish to truly and powerfully warn against these events by the King of the North (or if the Laodiceans begin to do that, I believe that they will pull back). But, consistent with Daniel 12:7, Daniel 11:28 seems to be referring the beginning of the scattering of God's people. And as Daniel 7:25 states, there will be two persecutions, one that begins prior to the Great Tribulation and the other which lasts the 1260 days ("a time and times and half a time").

As far as changing times and laws, notice a Roman Catholic prophecy about a "great monarch" (one that certain Catholics tend to look forward to, but seems to be specifically warned against by various scriptures; see also The Great Monarch: Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies):

Joseph Görres (died 1848): The people will be united under a powerful great monarch who will make new laws and banish corruption from the earth. (Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p. 38)

Also, notice that the Bible states:

6 "Flee from the land of the north", says the LORD ... 7 Up Zion! Escape you that dwell with the daughter of Babylon (Zechariah 2:6,7).

Hence, it may be that prior to going to a place of protection (please see There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra), some Christians will flee out of the European lands dominated by the rising King of the North prior to him moving into Jerusalem--probably during verses 28-30 of Daniel 11 as this is when the King of the North begins his anger against God's most faithful (and I believe that since God's faithful will understand these passages in Daniel 11 by then, some will not wait until verses 30 or 31 to flee from the north--and will most likely go to Judea).

Now at "the appointed time," something will trigger the King of the North going towards the south:

29 At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter. 30 For ships from Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage. So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant (Daniel 11:29-30).

30 For warships from western coastlands will scare him off, and he will withdraw and return home. But he will vent his anger against the people of the holy covenant and reward those who forsake the covenant. (Daniel 11:30, New Living Translation 1996 Greg Laurie)

30 Ships of the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant. (Daniel 11:30, NIV)

30 Ships from the west will come to attack him, and he will be discouraged. Then he will start back to his own country and take out his anger on the religion of God's faithful people, while showing kindness to those who are unfaithful. (Daniel 11:30, CEV)

30 Ships will come from the west to attack him, and he will be discouraged and turn back. Angry at the holy promise, he will return, take action, and favor those who abandon the holy promise. (Daniel 11:30, GWT)

Note: the Hebrew term translated as "Cyprus" in the NKJV is a mistranslation. The KJV uses the term Chittim which means "Western lands"--but could include ships from the island of Cyprus. Anyway, the Bible is mainly showing that the King of the North will apparently be temporarily stopped by a Western naval power (see also Germany in Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecy). A similar passage is in Numbers 24:24, which according to Numbers 24:14, is for the latter times--and in it the Western naval power troubles descendants of Asshur/Assyria (many of whom now seem to be residing in Europe, see Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History).

Here are several translations of the seemingly related event from Numbers 24:14 and 24:

14 … Come, I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the latter days. (Numbers 24:14, NKJV)

24 But ships shall come from the coasts of Cyprus, And they shall afflict Asshur and afflict Eber, And so shall Amalek, until he perishes. (Numbers 24:24, NKJV)

24 But ships will come from the direction of Kittim, troubling Asshur and troubling Eber, and like the others their fate will be destruction. (Numbers 24:24. Bible in Basic English, BBE)

24 And — ships [are] from the side of Chittim, And they have humbled Asshur, And they have humbled Eber, And it also for ever is perishing.’ (Numbers 24:24, Young’s Literal Translation)

24 Sea-Peoples, raiders from across the sea, will harass Asshur and Eber, But they’ll also come to nothing, just like all the rest. (Numbers 24:24, The Message).

24 And ships shall come from the coast of Kittim (Cyprus), and shall afflict Asshur (Assyria), and shall afflict ‘Ever (i.e., Region beyond the River [Euphrates]), and he also shall be unto destruction. (Numbers 24:24, Orthodox Jewish Bible, OJB)

So a naval power comes and troubles the Assyrians and some other peoples and that naval power will end up coming to nothing according to the Book of Numbers. The above is an important end time sign.

We in the Continuing Church of God expect that we will be warning the world that the King of the North is fulfilling Bible prophecy when he does this and is confronted by American/British ships. This is likely to be part of the "short work" of Romans 9:28 that God will accomplish through His most faithful (see also Preparing for the 'Short Work' and The Famine of the Word).

Here is a Roman Catholic writing related to the passage in Daniel 11:30 and what follows:

It seems he will probably be defeated by certain people of the Western nations, who will give him a naval battle…(11:30). But he will soon recover from this defeat. (Huchedé P. History of Antichrist. Imprimatur Edward Charles Fabre, Bishop of Montreal, First English edition 1884. 1976 reprint from TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 22)

No later than 2003 (which was also in a paper in 2004: Thiel R. Daniel 11’s End-Time Prophetic Sequence. Submitted to LCG evangelists. July 7, 2024), I first thought that Daniel 11:30 could be referring to United States and/or British -descended warships alarming the European King of the North. Then in 2008, I came across the following in a book written about Greco-Roman Catholic prophecies by Gerald Culleton:

Countess Francesca de Billiante (died 1935): When the land with the great fleet enters the Mediterranean (England or the United States?) then Europe will tremble…God will save Rome (Culleton, The Prophets and Our Times, p. 226).

Note: The comments ( ) in are from the Roman Catholic writer Gerald Culleton. And while he did not connect this Roman Catholic prophecy to Daniel 11:30 in that writing, that passage certainly may be related.

Consider also something that a so-called "Christian" psychic and dowser wrote

Alois Irlmaier of Freilassing, Germany (prior to 1959): Suddenly ... large naval forces are positioned in a hostile way in the Mediterranean Sea - the situation is tense ... Then war breaks out ... Meanwhile, the yellow dragon invades Alaska and Canada at the same time. (Araujo, pp. 116-117)

The above psychic helped the German police find various criminals etc., and thus may have had some type of connection to the spirit (demonic) world.

Because the Bible shows that the spirit world has knowledge of scripture (Matthew 4:5–6), it would appear that some spirits inspired certain private prophets to make a variety of statements throughout history to try to confuse people at the end. The statement from the Countess may have been intended to tell the Europeans that they should not be too afraid of the coming “American” (which could include Canadian) ships.

Despite some claims, notice that a major battle is not shown to have occurred in verse 30; it may only involve a show of naval force. Thus, that verse may possibly indicate that this is when the European Beast power may temporarily make a deceptive deal with a major Western power (probably the United States) which will ultimately allow it to destroy the USA and its English-speaking allies (see also verse 39).

Why does the Western naval power seem to be the United States and perhaps also its British-descended allies?

First, the United States is west of Jerusalem. As is Canada.

Second, the United States is a major naval power, and often uses its naval power as a threat.

Third, although Latin America is also west of Jerusalem, it (even when all the nations that compose it are combined) would not seem to have enough of a naval force to stop the European king's approach (plus, since Latin America shares culture, languages, and religion with Europe, it will most likely be allied with the King of the North either at this time or shortly thereafter).

Fourth, while the UK is basically north of Jerusalem, it has long had a naval presence west of Jerusalem in places like Gibraltar and Cyprus (some ships could come from Gibraltar as well as farther west, like from the USA). Furthermore, Great Britain took possession of Cyprus in 1878 and was formally annexed by the U.K. in 1914. And while that status changed after Cyprus emerged as a sovereign state in 1960, the UK did not cede all territory to it. Currently, the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia is a British Overseas Territory on the island of Cyprus. So the UK actually has military territory in two places on the island of Cyprus. The Royal Navy has long had a presence there--and the UK has also allowed the USA to stage some military weaponry there.

Fifth, since the nation of Cyprus is actually part of the European Union, it makes no sense that it would attempt to stop the European Beast power--plus it does not have a massive enough navy to be a threat of itself against the coming King of the North.

Sixth, since the Bible shows that the problems from the kings that are north and east of the King of the North do not occur until verse 44 of Daniel 11, since they can be eliminated as possibilities, this pretty much only leaves that United States and its English-speaking allies as the only possible naval power that could deter the King of the North at this stage.

No later than in a book I wrote in 2008 did I identify the USA as the naval power in Daniel 11 that comes into conflict with the European power. Someone sent me a link to the following in 2019:

the European Union is shaping into an empire, and sooner or later the United States, as a maritime great power, will come into conflict with it. That is a structural issue, and it is inevitable. Any power consolidating the European landmass would have so much material, financial, and demographic power, it would be a threat to other land and maritime powers around, including the United States, United Kingdom, or even Russia. (Maitra S. When The European Union Becomes An Empire, Its Clash With The United States Is Inevitable. September 17, 2019)

Yes, conflict between the USA and Europe is coming. Now, even though Daniel 11:40 shows that the King of the North will have "many ships"--at the time of verse 30 it simply will not have enough naval power to dissuade the USA from getting the King of the North to stop proceeding for a short time.

But getting back to verse 30 itself, notice that the King of the North will be even further enraged by the people of the "holy covenant" and most likely try to stop the supporters of it from proclaiming the truth about his intentions and the gospel of the kingdom (c.f. Matthew 24:14), which is something that we in the Continuing Church of God expect to be doing then. The King of the North will probably attempt to learn more about how to eliminate us and any who follow by trying to be nice to various apostates (those who "forsake the holy covenant")--apparently he attempts to get them to betray true Christians (Matthew 24:10). It strikes me as important that although a naval power stops the King of the North momentarily, the King of the North becomes apparently more enraged with the people of the holy covenant than the naval power (which he also will later take vengeance upon--see Daniel 11:39).

Why would this be?

Most likely this occurs because the people of the holy covenant are proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 24:14, as that immediately precedes "the end") and teaching that the King of the North is fulfilling prophecies in Daniel 11. It is my belief that after the peace deal in Daniel 9:27a/11:23a has been made and/or confirmed by “the prince to come,” that the group that best represents the “sect of the Nazarenes” (the remnant of the Philadelphia era of the church per Revelation 3:7–11, as led by the Continuing Church of God) in the 21st century will begin to publicly identify the person who confirmed the deal (“the prince”) as the one who fulfilled Daniel 9:27/11:23b-24. This apparently enrages the King of the North so much that he initially tries to eliminate these people through political pressure and selected persecution.

Our teachings on this, particularly after these prophecies are being fulfilled and we publicly point that out--as well as us then identifying the Beast of Revelation, who is also the final King of the North--looks to be something that will give us the “fifteen minutes of fame” that late Andy Warhol indicated individuals or phenomena would be able to experience. Because our booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom of God, is available in over 1000 languages (see Preaching the Gospel in Over 1000 Languages), many will get a witness as part of the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14.

Even the Roman Catholic Jerome indirectly understood some of this concerning these passages in Daniel 11 as he wrote:

Verses 27----30..."And his heart shall be against the holy covenant, and he shall succeed and return into his own land. At the time appointed he shall return and shall come to the South; but the latter time shall not be like the former. And the galleys shall come upon him...But these events were typically prefigured under Antiochus Epiphanes, so that this abominable king who persecuted God's people foreshadows the Antichrist, who is to persecute the people of Christ (Jerome. Commentary on Daniel, Chapter 11. Translated by Gleason L. Archer. (1958). http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/jerome_daniel_02_text.htm viewed 12/20/08).

Jesus clearly taught that persecution would affect His people just prior to the Great Tribulation beginning:

7 And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another (Matthew 24:7-10).

21 For then there will be great tribulation (Matthew 24:21).

So notice that after "the beginning of sorrows," the true Christians will be delivered up and many killed and many will be betrayed by those pretending to be Christians. And then the Great Tribulation will come shortly thereafter. This clearly ties in with the events of Daniel 11.

Notice that after the King of the North returns home, he decides to come back to the Jerusalem area (see also Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future), but this time with a much stronger military presence:

31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation (Daniel 11:31).

The above event, which apparently will involve the King of the North sending in forces into Jerusalem, was spoken of by Jesus (Matthew 24:15) as a warning of the final end time. So after the gospel has been preached enough to the world as a witness (Matthew 24:14), Jewish sacrifices are stopped (Daniel 9:27), the abomination is set up (Daniel 9:27; 11:31), and a decree is issued (Zephaniah 2:1), the most faithful Philadelphians will flee per Jesus' statements in Matthew 24:15-16 or 'fly' per Revelation 12:14-16. Although some Catholic, Protestant and Jewish sources say that this was all fufilled by Antiocus Epiphanes, in his commentary on Daniel titled Yafeh La-Ketz, the Jeiwsh Malbim (Meïr Leibush ben Yehiel Michel Weiser, 1809-1879) claimed that starting in verse 31, Daniel 11 was referring to the Romans (Hoffman E. Chanukah, Daniel 11 and the Rabbis’ Limited Knowledge of Greek-Period Jewish History. http://thetorah.com/chanukah-daniel-11-and-history/ accessed 07/15/16).

Let me also add that on February 7, 2024, Germany sent a warship to the Middle East for seemingly military purposes. So, yes, Asshur will do its part to fulfill Daniel 11:30 and Numbers 24:24.

Now for the daily sacrifices to stop in Daniel 11:31 and 12:11, it would be necessary that they start for a period of at least some days prior to the 1290 in order for them to be considered "daily." It may actually be that part of the justification that the King of the North will give himself (and possibly the United States) for this invasion is that it is necessary for him to go to Jerusalem to stop the "fanatics" in Israel from inciting world war by performing these sacrifices (see also Daniel 9:27). (Note: Although some teach that a physical temple must be built in Jerusalem to allow the daily sacrifices, it should be understood that only an altar is necessary and not a temple in that location--much more information is included in the article Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required?)

This is likely the time that the following will be in the process of being fulfilled:

3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

The Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21) begins 30 days after Daniel 11:31 is fulfilled. Herbert W. Armstrong taught that the Church's efforts to proclaim the gospel would stop 45 days prior to the abomination in Daniel 11:31 (cf. Daniel 12:7 and 12:11 and Armstrong HW. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General's Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979, Page 2). Thus this is when the "one thousand two hundred and ninety days" (1290 days) of Daniel 12:11 begin:

11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. (Daniel 12:11-12)

Any Church members in Jerusalem/Judea at the time the sacrifices are taken away would need to flee according to Jesus and Jeremiah:

15 Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be (Matthew 24:15-21).

5 Declare in Judah and proclaim in Jerusalem, and say:

"Blow the trumpet in the land;
Cry, 'Gather together,'
And say, 'Assemble yourselves,
And let us go into the fortified cities.'
6 Set up the standard toward Zion.
Take refuge! Do not delay!
For I will bring disaster from the north,
And great destruction."
7 The lion has come up from his thicket,
And the destroyer of nations is on his way.
He has gone forth from his place
To make your land desolate.
Your cities will be laid waste,
Without inhabitant. (Jeremiah 4:5-7)

These passages show that there will be a time that will come that those in Judea and Jerusalem will have to flee into a mountainous area of protection. Jesus told His followers to flee when they see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel. And Jeremiah is basically warning that disaster will come from the north--in this case, apparently the King of the North (he destroys nations, Daniel 11:41, cf. Isaiah 10:7)--in other writings Jerome (Jerome. Letter CXXIII to Ageruchia, Chapter 16) as well as the third century Catholic theologian and bishop Hippolytus (Hippolytus. On the Antichrist, Chapters 16 & 57) tied in Assur/Assyria as apparently being the king (for more details, please see Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy). The Bible itself also points to the final King of the North being Assyrian (Isaiah 10:12), hence possessing at least some Germanic ancestry.

Notice that Jesus' comments can only be directed to those that are keeping the Sabbath PRIOR to the Great Tribulation. And that they flee in certain areas. Perhaps the reason that there are true Christians in Jerusalem at this time is because some have come to get out of regions dominated by the King of the North prior to and after he begins persecutions (some of those who understand these prophesies will most likely realize that remaining in regions dominated by the Beast power will not be safe and may leave prior to the actual persecution beginning). (More information on persecutions can be found in the article Persecutions by Church and State).

The Bible is clear that it will be a northern power that will eliminate Judah, the nation now called Israel:

22 Behold, the noise of the report has come, And a great commotion out of the north country, To make the cities of Judah desolate, a den of jackals. (Jeremiah 10:22)

And during this time, the northern King will apparently corrupt the corruptible and continue to be responsible for persecuting the people of God:

32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. 34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. 35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time (Daniel 11:32-35).

Concerning Daniel 11:32, Jerome wrote, "in my opinion this will take place in the time of the Antichrist" (Jerome. Commentary on Daniel, Chapter 11. Translated by Gleason L. Archer. (1958). This text was transcribed by Roger Pearse, Ipswich, UK, 2004. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/pearse/morefathers/files/jerome_daniel_02_text.htm viewed 06/05/11).

The King of the North's actions in verse 32 seem to parallel part of Daniel 11:23 which teaches "he shall act deceitfully."

The 19th century Methodist theologian Adam Clarke, in his commentary, identifies the faithful people as follows:

But the people that do know their God
The genuine Christians.

Shall be strong
Shall be strengthened by his grace and Spirit (Clarke A. The Adam Clarke Commentary, Daniel Chapter 11.)

Concerning the people of Daniel 11:33-35, the late Herbert W. Armstrong considered them to mainly be Philadelphians and also stated, “These are the people of God” (Armstrong HW. Falling away, part 2. World Tomorrow radio broadcast, HA5406.rm).

This would also be the time that the remaining Philadelphians (those who were not in Jerusalem during the prior verse) fly/flee to their place of protection (please see the article There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra) and thus, around vs. 35 is when the "time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered" as Daniel 12:7 refers to (also known as the 1260 days or the 3 1/2 years) begins.

Notice that the King of the North is mainly focused against God's people, and initially mainly (but likely not exclusively) the Philadelphians (for more about the persecutions, please see Persecutions by Church and State). This indicates that he is NOT mainly yet attacking Israel as some have suggested (as that would result in immediate retaliation by the United States). He seems to be focused on religion--probably setting the anti-Pope up in Jerusalem while eliminating those in the true Church who are reporting his real intentions (the persecutors are associated with the 'synagogue of Satan,' see also What is the Synagogue of Satan?).

Even the Catholic Jerome also understood that this passage of Daniel 11 was referring to Christian persecution as he wrote:

Verse 33...But let no one doubt that these things are going to happen under the Antichrist, when many shall resist his authority and flee away in various directions...

Verses 34, 35...Our writers, however, would have it understood that the small help shall arise under the reign of the Antichrist, for the saints shall gather together to resist him, and afterwards a great number of the learned shall fall. And this shall take place in order that they may be refined as by fire in the furnace, and that they may be made white and may be chosen out, until the time before determined arrives ---- for the true victory shall be won at the coming of Christ (Jerome. Commentary on Daniel, Chapter 11. Translated by Gleason L. Archer. (1958). http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/jerome_daniel_02_text.htm viewed 12/20/08).

It is critical to realize is that verse 35 specifically shows that its activities go “until the time of the end,” thus, there must be a future fulfillment of vs. 35. And this may be a key verse to tie in with Daniel 12:1, which discusses Michael the ArchAngel rising up, just prior to the Great Tribulation and protecting the faithful:

1 At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1)

This is also the just prior to official start of the time of Jacob's troubles (Jeremiah 30:7)--though the Jacob descended nations will have "sorrows" first (Matthew 24:4-8).

Now The Wycliffe Bible Commentary states (bolding in original):

Dan 12:1
At that time (cf. on Dan 11:36). At the same time as the events of 11:36-45. Michael. See Rev 12:7; cf. Josh 5:13-15; 2 Kings 6:15-17; Isa 37:35-36; Matt 26:53. This is Israel's time of trouble. Every reference to it uses superlative language (cf. also Matt 24:21).

The reason that I mention that related to verse 35, is that the above from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary seems to be off a little bit.

Why?

Because the same Hebrew expression for “at that time” (`eth) occurs in verse 35, not verse 36. This suggests that Michael will likely provide protection to God's people when they flee/fly to the palce. Therefore, it would appear that somewhere between verse 35 and 39 is apparently when Michael stands up and begins to protect the true and faithful in the Church. Probably while they are fleeing/traveling (see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra).

Who is the King of the North?

While there have been various ones throughout history, the final King of the North appears to be the leader of a, Vatican-influenced, European superstate (more on this European power can be found in the article Europa, the Beast, and Revelation).

Notice what the old Radio Church of God taught:

"The king of the north" — all Bible scholars know that the 'king of the north' originally meant Syria in Old Testament times; but when Rome conquered Syria, the 'king of the north' became Rome; and when Rome fell, the German Nation and its allies wok over Rome and now have become the 'king of the north' (verses 36-39 — the German Nation, now working through the Nazi Underground, "shall..." notice it! "... shall enter into the countries ...). Why? Because these nations shall finally be in league with Germany [the descendants of Assur or Assyria] according to Psalm 83! Germany's coming Fuhrer ... is "the king of the north." (Hoeh H. U.S. and Britain Admit NAZI UNDERGROUND Behind Arab Crisis! Plain Truth, October 1958)

4. In final fulfillment of this prophecy, will a mighty king arise who recognizes no God nor any power superior to his own? Dan. 11:36, 37. Does he subscribe to a militaristic axiom that "might makes right"? Verse 38. But will he, for mutual gain, share rule with and load riches and public honor on a new and unusual "god"? Verses 38-39.

COMMENT: These two personages are none other than the "Beast" and the "False Prophet" mentioned in Rev. 19:20!

5. Will this UNHOLY ALLIANCE transfer its headquarters to Palestine? Dan. 11:41, 45. Will it meet its doom there? Verse 45. Note that one of the "strongholds" they shall conquer, and the very "land" they will "divide" (verse 39) ... (Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course, Lesson 44. 1966)

The position of the old Radio Church of God that the 'King of the North' of Daniel 11 is also the Beast of Revelation 19:20, and will come from Europe, is correct. (More on the 'strongholds' can be found in the article USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses.)

The Bible teaches that this King of the North will magnify himself above all gods, but will publicly endorse a new type of religion:

36 Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. (Daniel 11:36).

By exalting himself about every god, this shows that the King of the North is the man of sin of 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4:

3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God ...

More information can also be found in the article Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2? (here is a link to a related sermon video titled: The Man of Sin will deceive most ‘Christians’).

Perhaps it should be pointed out that more Europeans want a strong man leader than many realize. Consider the following:

Hungary is a beacon to Europe’s populist strongmen

April 9, 2018

There was more at stake in Hungary’s election Sunday than the domestic politics of a diminutive Central European state.

The anticipated landslide victory of strongman Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his right-wing Fidesz party has national populists across Europe uncorking champagne bottles. ...

Far-right parties such as Le Pen’s National Front, the AfD, Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party and Italy’s League, among many others, seek to emulate Orban. They view the strongman as Europe’s most accomplished progenitor of the type of illiberal democracy to which they aspire. https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/09/opinions/viktor-orban-hungary-election-opinion-intl/index.html

Half of Italians want ‘strongman’ in power, survey shows

December 6, 2019

ROME (Reuters) – Almost half of Italians are in favor of having a “strongman” in power who does not care about parliament and elections, a survey showed on Friday, casting doubts on the strength of democracy in a major European nation.

Some 48.2% of people think the government should be led by a Messiah-like leader who does not have to worry about being accountable, the survey by Censis research institute said. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-survey/half-of-italians-want-strongman-in-power-survey-shows-idUSKBN1YA1X5

Notice that many Italians are longing for a “Messianic,” “strongman,” leader.

Now, back to Daniel 11:

37 He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. (Daniel 11:37)

Some have suggested that the "desire of women" statement in Daniel 11:37 combined with the betrayal of the woman in Revelation 17:16 by the forces of the Beast, suggests that the King of the North will somehow use Marian apparitions to his advantage before turning on the Church of Rome:

Bible scholar G. H. Pember explains this interpretation:

The expression “the Desire of Women” is placed between two nouns which indubitably refer to concrete gods; it must therefore, itself designate some individual deity which is more especially sought after by women. And having reached this point, our difficulties are over: the deity intended can be no other than the many-named Goddess of Nature, who has been worshiped, and at all times chiefly by women, from the earliest ages to our own days, by Pagans and by apostate Christians of every land.

She is the Beltis, or Mylitta, of the Babylonians; the Ishtar of the Assyrians; the Astarte of the Phoenicians; the Queen of Heaven mentioned by Jeremiah; the Tanata of the Persians; the Isis of the Egyptians; the Shing Moo, or Holy Mother, of the Chinese; the Aphrodite of the Greeks; the Artemis, or Diana, of the Ephesians; the Venus of the Romans…and the Virgin Mary of the Eastern and Western Catholics. This is the goddess of whom we have so often heard as Our Lady of La Salette, Our Lady of Lourdes – to whom it seems there are temples erected even in China…

(Cited in: Tetlow J. Oakland R, Meyers B. Queen of Rome, Queen of Islam, Queen of All: The Marian apparitions’ plan to unite all religions under the Roman Catholic Church. Eternal Publications, 2006, pp. 108-111).

Now, back to the Bible:

38 But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things. (Daniel 11:38)

Who is the god of fortresses? Apparently this is the Roman god that Catholics (generally unwittingly) still honor. Why do I state that? Because in imperial Rome, the Emperor was responsible for military and religious matters (hence that is part of why he for a while held the title Pontifex Maximus, a title now claimed by Roman Catholic Pontiffs). Furthermore, an official Vatican pronouncement centuries ago confirmed that the Catholic Church should be responsible for the use of the sword--warfare. Notice the following:

Both, therefore, are in the power of the Church, that is to say, the spiritual and the material sword, but the former is to be administered for the Church but the latter by the Church; the former in the hands of the priest; the latter by the hands of kings and soldiers, but at the will and sufferance of the priest. However, one sword ought to be subordinated to the other and temporal authority, subjected to spiritual power...Furthermore, we declare, we proclaim, we define that it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff (THE BULL UNAM SANCTAM , 1302. English translation taken from a doctoral dissertation written in the Dept. of Philosophy at the Catholic University of America, and published by CUA Press in 1927. In Medieval Sourcebook, http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/b8-unam.html 01/16/06).

Thus, Roman Catholic leaders do endorse killing and the use of the military under the authority of church leadership (the Crusades and the Inquisitions are simply two of many examples). Hence they do, to a degree, worship a god of fortresses.

Now let's look at bolded portion. It may well be that this King begins to accumulate gold and precious things beginning earlier. Verse 24 of Daniel 11 shows that this leader will somehow also be accumulating wealth. Perhaps to back up a European supported currency, he may end up with personal and/or national gold reserves and/or wealth from the Vatican. The Vatican has a vast amount of wealth and is prophesied to be improperly involved with the kings of the earth in the end times per Revelation 17. The Vatican and its supporters have historically used gold, silver, and precious stones to make 'sacred images,' icons, and other idolatrous items. This may be what happens here. Also, some 'image of the beast' (Revelation 13:14), may also be made at this time.

What about the god which his fathers did not know?

This portion of Daniel 11:38 about a different god ties in with Daniel 11:39 which talks about a "foreign god." Here is some of what the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, has in its commentary on Daniel 11:39 (the portion about Daniel was by S. R. Driver in 1900) teaches about it:

39. And he will do to the fortresses of strongholds with (the help of) a foreign god] i.e. will conquer them by his aid. ...

strange] i.e. (from Lat. ‘extraneus’) foreign, as regularly in A.V.

The comment about 'extraneus' is of interest as it seems likely that the King of the North will establish some type of religious order while also claiming Roman Catholicism.

That is actually quite similar to a Catholic prophecy about a coming Great Monarch (see also The Great Monarch: Biblical and Catholic Prophecies). Notice the following from a book written by a Catholic (D. Birch) who claims that he only cited Catholic-approved prophecies:

St. Francis of Paula (15th Century)…Francis also speaks in a series of letters to Simeon de Limena, Count of Montalto in great detail of a future Great Monarch who will be a Roman Emperor ... He is described as founding a new religious order. To the reader this may sound like he also become a priest. That is not the case. What happens is that he founds a religious order, part of which contains military men who take religious vows. He will be the head of the military arm of this order. In this sense it will be like the Knights Templar of the Middle Ages.

“He shall be the founder of a new religious order different from all others. He will divide it into three strata, namely military knights, solitary priests, and most pious hospitalliers. This shall be the last religious order in the Church, and it will do more good for our holy religion than all other religious institutions.”

“... These devout men will wear on their breasts…the cross” [It becomes clear from other prophecies that it is from this that they will receive their popular name “the cross bearers.”] ...

“He shall ... destroy all tyrants and heresies. There will be one fold and one shepherd. He shall reign until the end of time. On the whole earth there will be twelve Kings, one Emperor and one Pope. (Birch DA. Trial, Tribulation & Triumph: Before During and After Antichrist. Queenship Publishing Company, Goleta (CA), 1996, pp.267-270)

Notice that Francis prophesied that there will be a new essentially Roman Catholic religious order that will do more good for the Roman Catholic Church than all other religious institutions. This is because this “Great Monarch” (the first Beast of Revelation 13) will work with the Pope to make the world nominally Catholic--but since he will actually change the religion, it is likely that he will take the name "Catholic" to pretend that he is faithful to that religion. And since this monarch is a warrior, obviously he will somehow honor the "god of fortresses." And he is expected to "convert the world" according to various Catholics.

But he also will upset people, including parts of the Catholic clergy:

Sister Marianne Gaultier (18th century): “…the Prince shall reign, whom people did not esteem before, but whom they shall then seek. (Dupont Y. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p. 75).

Gameleo (possibly 16th century): The Great Lion will arise when the Holy See has been moved to Mentz, and a Sabinian elected Pope. There will have been much dissension among the cardinals. (Culleton, The Prophets and Our Times, p. 170)

D. Birch (commenting after the above in his book), “Many of the prophecies speak of the fact that the Great King at first will not be well-liked, especially by the French clergy” (Birch DA. Trial, Tribulation & Triumph: Before During and After Antichrist. Queenship Publishing Company, Goleta (CA), 1996, p. 276).

He is probably disliked by the clergy for changes he is trying to implement.

Furthermore, I specifically believe that the Great Monarch that some Roman Catholics are incorrectly looking forward to is the "King of the North" and his new religious order is specifically warned against in the Book of Daniel (11:37-38). Yet, some improperly look forward to him:

Josefa von Bourg (d. 1807): God will choose a descendant of Constantine, Pepin, and St. Louis, who has been tried by a long period of exile to rule over Europe. He will have the sign of the cross on his breast...Under him the Catholic religion will spread as never before (Culleton, pp. 181-182).

Anna-Katarina Emmerick...Then I saw the beast fleeing to the sea, the enemy hurrying off in disorder, and immense circles of combatants surrounding the church, some on the earth, others high in the air. The first circle was composed of youths and maidens; the second, of married persons of all classes from royalty down; the third, of religious; the fourth, of warriors, led by a rider on a white horse; and the fifth, and last was made up of citizens and peasants, many of whom were marked on the forehead with a red cross. As this army drew near, the captives and oppressed were delivered and swelled the ranks whilst the demolishers and conspirators were put to flight on all sides (Emmerich AC. The Life of Lord Jesus Christ and Biblical Revelations. Schmöger edition, Vol. IV. Nihil Obstat: D. Jaegher, 14 Februari 1914. Imprimatur: A.C. De Schrevel, Brugis, 14 Februari 1914. Reprint TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 2004, pp. 290-291).

Thus, there seem to be prophecies that those who wear some type of cross will conquer.

Perhaps it should be mentioned here that throughout history, those in the true Church have opposed the use of a cross as a symbol (please see The Pergamos Church Era).

One interesting 15th century Catholic prophecy foretells a time a “great prince” will rise up, “all Germany” will apparently covert to the ecumenical religion and then massive conversions elsewhere “will happen quickly" (Joannes Amadeus de Sylva, in Connor, p. 34). This sounds a lot like what will happen under the Beasts in Revelation 13 (cf. Revelation 13:4,8).

Notice also the following from a Catholic source:

The 1854 Prophecy of World War III

In the prophecy of Zachary — the Armenian Jew who converted to the Catholic Faith — published in 1854 was the edited text of the prophecy of the revelations that he received from God. A Father Fattecelli compiled the prophecies and published them in a book called Day of Anger: The Hand of God Upon an Empire. ... the empire that will use great guile and deception ...

And then there would be the war that the prophecy refers to as “the struggle of the strong against the strong”. This empire of the north ... will go to war against North America. And this Nineteenth Century text says they will fire their missiles on North America and North America will fall and be conquered and brought into bondage. The next phrase is the most frightful thing of all. It is then that Zachary says in this text published in 1854, “and then the whole world fell under the dominion of the first-born of hell.” (Originally by Priest Fattecelli, Day of Anger: The Hand of God Upon an Empire, 1854, as paraphrased by Priest P. Kramer, What are the missing contents of the third secret? Fatima Crusader, 95, Summer 2010, pp. 45-46)

The 'empire of the north' sounds like the European King of the North of Daniel 11 to me (P. Kramer felt otherwise). The Bible clearly shows its leader will use deception (Daniel 8:19,23-26; 11:21-24) to gain power. And that leader will start what could be called WWIII.

North America is predicted to be taken over by "the empire of the north" (various other prophecies are in new book, Fatima Shock! What the Vatican Does Not Want You to Know About Fatima, Dogmas of Mary, and Future Apparitions), the realm of the King of the North! Since Zachary is discussing the dominion of the first born son of perdition (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12), the above is clearly teaching that this would happen at the start of the Great Tribulation. This is consistent with the understanding of the Continuing Church of God on these matters (though we do not believe that God inspired this Zachary).

This monarch is predicted from Orthodox sources to fight wars for 3 years:

Message to Emperor Manuel II (d. 1425): The Emperor will spend three years waging wars (Tzima Otto, H. The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Scriptural Prophecies. The Verenika Press, Rock Hill (SC), 2000, p. 103).

Does not this sound a lot like one the Bible warns against?

Also notice the following:

Orthodox St. Andrew the Fool-for-Christ (4th century): This king will rule ... Happiness will reign in the world as it did in the days of Noah...The entire world will fear this king ... he will pursue all persons of the Jewish religion out of Constantinople ... and the people will rejoice like in the time of Noah until the deluge came (Tzima Otto, pp. 113,114)

But the Orthodox saint here is confused. Recall that Jesus specifically taught that He would return when it was like the days of Noah and people like that would not be ready (Matthew 24:37-39). Thus, clearly the above prophecy about the Great Monarch is warned against from the Bible.

Furthermore, notice the following Orthodox prophecies:

Anonymou Paraphrasis (10th century): The one true King…is destined to become manifest [be revealed] … by means … of signs … The King will hear the voice and instructions by an Angel appearing to him … he has foresight and is cognizant of the text of the prophecies…the name of the King is hidden [concealed] among the nations … And the particular manner of the king’s manifestation to the public [to the world] will take place as follows: A star will appear [will become visible] for three days long and during the third hour of the night, on the eve of the feast day of the Mother of the Most High (it will become visible) in the Middle of the City. And this star is not one among the planets … And a herald speaking with a very loud voice in the course of the three days will summon and unveil the hoped for one … There will become visible in the sky a ‘nebulous firmament of the sun’ … under that image will be suspended a cross…And the invisible herald from Heaven with his thunderous voice will say to the people: Is this man agreeable to you? At that moment everybody will be taken by fear and terror ... they will elevate him on a high spot and will proclaim him (their) hereditary Monarch (Tzima Otto, H. The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Scriptural Prophecies. Verenika Press, Rock City (SC), 2000, pp. 30, 31, 32, 50-51,52,53).

Blessed Hieronymus Agathaghelos (1279): The Angel, Mary and John, along with the great and first among martyrs ... will intercede. Yes ... the Ruler will informed accordingly ... nobody will laugh at your expense (Tzima Otto, p. 130,132).

Perhaps it should be noted Orthodox scholar H. Tzima Otto believes that the cross referred to will be red, because other signs in the sky, like a comet, will also be present (ibid, p. 60). She also believed he may be somewhat obscure at first "he is not publicly known, we would say today that he is not a celebrity" (ibid, p. 176). Hence, someone relatively unknown is expected to rise up. And apparitions are likely expected to support this. The Bible clearly teaches that this man of sin, the King of the North, comes with signs and lying wonders in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10.

Also, notice something that Jesus warned about:

11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. (Luke 21:11)

Could this include signs in the sky, which occur PRIOR to the start of the Great Tribulation, pointing to the King of the North? If so, then seemingly thes "Great Monarch prophecies" would apparently to apply.

And this individual, perhaps like the one warned about in Daniel 8:23 who has "understanding dark sentences" (KJV) or "understanding hidden things," is "cognizant of the text of the prophecies." The Great Monarch some are looking for sounds like the final King of the North that Daniel was inspired to warn against (cf. Daniel 11:21).

Notice the following Bzyantine prophecy:

Emperor Leo the Philosopher (died 912): The one who is considered dead (already) and escaping notice [or detection by human vision], many know him, although nobody sees him; He will rise up, all of a sudden, as if from a wine-revelry and will certainly hold the scepters of the kingdom. For a column having been seen in the vault of heaven as if twisted as if by spinning, an invisible herald will shout thunderously thrice: Make haste and go to the western parts of the Seven-Hilled city and there you will find a servant of Mine, a man dear to Me; Bring him to the royal palace, he wears a helmet, he is soft-spoken, calm, noble-minded, he has very sharp knowledge of the future [or he can see well the future with the mind's eyes]. Thus, Oh Seven-Hilled city, you will acheive sovereignty once again. (Oraculum XIII/Icone 13 as translated by Tzima Otto, pp. 69-70)

Also notice the following Catholic prophecies:

Josefa von Bourg (died 1807): God will choose a descendant of Constantine…who has been tried by a long period of disappointment…to rule over Europe. He will have the sign of the cross on his breast…(Connor, p. 37).

Abbe Soufrand (died 1828): The Great Ruler will perform such great and noble deeds that the infidels will be forced to admit the working of God’s providence (Connor, p. 37).

So, from both the Roman and Orthodox Catholics we learn that someone who seemed not significant (cf. Daniel 8:24; 11:21) is expected to appear on the scene with signs and wonders. Does not the Bible specifically warns of a leader who will come with signs and lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9; cf. Revelation 16:13-14)?

Furthermore, notice the following:

St. Thomas a'Becket (12th Century). St. Thomas says:

"A knight shall come from the West. He shall capture Milan, Lombardy, and the three Crowns. He shall then sail to Cyprus and Famagoste and land at Jaffa, and reach Christ's grave where he will fight. Wars and wonders shall befall till the people believe in Christ toward the end of the world."

Notice that St. Thomas says wars and wonders will precede a resurgence in belief in Christ during the latter times (Birch, p. 255). {The comments in italics were from Birch personally}.

And notice that signs and wonders are prophesied to be associated with the Great Monarch:

Discourse of a Holy Man to Emperor Manuel II Palaeologous (15th century): And the members of the clergy and the monastics as well as every social stratum of humanity, against their own will, but led by a divine sign will come to Constantinople ... Then, an angel ... will descend from heaven ... and he will crown the Emperor of Peace. The King will be present in Constantinople (Tzima Otto, pp. 99-100).

The Bible is absolutely clear that "signs and lying wonders" will be associated with the final Beast power (which some private "prophecies" call the "Great Monarch") and the final Antichrist. Notice:

9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

It is highly likely that such signs and lying wonders will be factors in the final emergence of the European Beast power. And that is consistent with various "Catholic" writings as well. It should also be noted that many Orthodox and Roman Catholics expect signs and wonders will announce the Great Monarch, as he will be a lesser known leader before coming into power.

The combination of the signs and wonders associated with the Beast/Great Monarch and the final Antichrist/antipope is warned about in various prophecies, but the Bible teaches that Satan signs and sorcery will deceive many to support the coming new Babylon (Revelation 18:21-23) that the King of the North will rule.

There is an interesting Catholic prophecy about the timing of the Great Monarch:

Ven. Holzhauser (17th century): The Great Monarch will come when the Latin Church is desolated, humiliated, and afflicted with many heresies (Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p. 114).

The pedophilia and other sex scandels have humiliated the Church of Rome in the 21st century, hence if the above is correct, then we are very near the time that the "Beast" leader will rise up.

Also notice something about a name to be given to the monarch according to the Orthodox:

Oracle of Baalbek: And the name of this King is concealed among the nations; and his name is similar to the last day, and it is written from the 18th letter. And when he will receive his empire, his name will be Anastasius, (Anastasois). (Tzima Otto, p. 64).

Dr. Tzima Otto (interpretting the above): The Greek name Anastasios translates as the one who is connected with the Resurrection. ... I believe that we have again a prophetic mention on the Great Monarch (ibid, p. 65).

The Bible is clear that when people see "one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. All the world marveled" (Revelation 13:3). This "king" is going to lead what will appear to be the resurrected "Holy Roman Empire." He, himself, may also have had his political career resurrected. Giving him a name signifying "resurrected" seems to be a warning for all of those who understand the Bible.

Here is a summarization of certain private Greco-Roman Catholic prophecies and some related scriptural references that show that many private prophecies for the Great Monarch are consistent with the warnings in the Bible against the Beast/King of the North:

He will have Franco-German ancestry (cf. Isaiah 10:5-12-see also Germany's Assyrian Roots Throughout History; Daniel 9:26, see also The 'Peace Deal' of Daniel 9:27).

His name has a number and he has control (Revelation 13:18).

He is considered to be like a powerful beast with the head like a lion and possibly came from the sea (Revelation 13:1-2; see also Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation).

He will have been written off/laughed at prior to his rise (Daniel 11:21; cf. Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North?).

He is supposed to arise in the 21st century, which would be the end times (cf. Daniel 11:40; see also Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?).

He will be announced with signs and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Revelation 13:13-15; cf. Matthew 24:24; see also Who is the King of the North?).

He will be announced with frightful sights and/or signs from heaven (cf. Luke 21:11).

He will understand mysterious/hidden things/sinister schemes (Daniel 8:23).

He will be a smooth talker (Daniel 11:23-24).

He will make changes, probably affecting religion (cf. Daniel 7:25; 11:37-38).

He, and his objectives, will be supported by a harlot “Virgin” they misidentify as Jesus' mother Mary (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Isaiah 47:1-15; Nahum 3:4-5; see also Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions).

He will rise up unexpectedly (Daniel 8:23-24; 11:21-24).

He will be considered to be a man bringing peace (Daniel 8:25, 9:26-27, 11:21-24; see also The 'Peace Deal' of Daniel 9:27).

He will have a "great army" (Daniel 11:25; Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation).

He will gain power after civil unrest/riots/warring in Europe (cf. Daniel 7:24; Revelation 13:3-4).

He will "uproot all republics" (cf. Revelation 17:12-13; see also Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?).

He will establish a new religious order while also endorsing an existing one (cf. Daniel 11:38).

He will endorse certain idols/icons (Revelation 13:14-17; cf. Daniel 11:38; see also What is the Origin of the Cross as a 'Christian' Symbol?).

His supporters will be identified with a sign/mark/image, like a cross and/or crucifix (cf. Revelation 13:14-17; see also Mark of the Beast). Images of “Mary” are also expected (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Revelation 13:14-17).

He will endorse an ecumenical form of Catholicism (cf. Daniel 11:36-38; Revelation 13:3-4; 17:1-11; see also Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? and Why Should American Roman Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? (And the Protestants)).

He and a certain pope will reign about four years (cf. Daniel 7:25; 11:21-44; 12:11-12; Revelation 12:14; 13:5).

Yet, he will falsely claim to be in charge of all Christendom (cf. Revelation 13, 17; Daniel 8:23-25).

He will persecute those without an item/mark (Revelation 13:16-17; see also Mark of the Beast).

One who does 'miracles' will support and promote him (Revelation 13:11-18).

He will establish himself militarily in Jerusalem near the beginning of his reign (Daniel 11:31; Luke 21:20-24).

He will be the leader of the resurrected (presumed dead) Holy Roman Empire (Revelation 13:3,12; see also Europa, the Beast, and Revelation).

He, himself, will have his political influence resurrected (Daniel 11:21; see also see also Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North?).

He will be considered unconquerable (cf. Revelation 13:3-4).

He will be considered like God (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

He will establish “New Babylon” (cf. Jeremiah 50:42; 51:33; Revelation 18:11-21).

He will help the City of Seven Hills reign (cf. Revelation 17:9,18).

He sets something up in Jerusalem (cf. Matthew 24:15).

He will persecute those which have original Judeo-Christian practices (Revelation 12:17, 13:7; Daniel 8:25; see also Persecutions by Church and State).

He fights against Israel (Luke 21:20; Daniel 11:31).

He will eliminate the English peoples (Daniel 8:24-25), who had been strong (Daniel 11:39; see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses).

He will spread his form of religion around the world (Revelation 13:3-17).

"The Great Monarch will annihilate heretics and unbelievers" (cf. Daniel 7:25; 11:28-35; Matthew 10:23; Revelation 14:12-13; see also Persecutions by Church and State).

During his time, "Protestantism will cease" (cf. Revelation 13:3-4).

He will divide up the lands of the English peoples (Daniel 11:39; Ezekiel 5:1-4; Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves?).

People will worship him (Revelation 13:8).

His supporters will be opposed to those that keep the Sabbath (cf. Daniel 7:25; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 13:16-17).

The Anglo peoples will betray each other (Isaiah 9:19-21; see also Anglo - America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel).

The world will prosper under his system for a while (Daniel 11:39; Revelation 18:9-19).

He will cause those in Muslim dominated areas to know tribulation (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:2-8; cf. Matthew 24:21; cf. When Will the Great Tribulation Begin?).

He will eliminate the Muslim powers in the Middle East and North Africa (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:2-8; see also Is the Future King of the South Rising Up?).

He "will amass gold" and help the world prosper with gold (Daniel 11:42; cf. Revelation 18:11-16; some steps seem to be in progress, see The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold?).

Allegedly, "Happiness will reign in the world as it did in the days of Noah" under his leadership (Matthew 24:37-38; Luke 17:26-27).

He will die in or near Jerusalem (cf. Revelation 16:13-16; 19:19-20).

His Roman empire will be destroyed (Daniel 2:35-45; Revelation 17:12-14).

His kingdom will be destroyed by the battle associated with Armageddon (Revelation 16:13-16; see also Armageddon).

An “Antichrist” (who we identify as Jesus) comes after his reign (Revelation 19:11-21) though the Monarch and his supporters opposes Him (Daniel 8:25; Revelation 17:14; see also Do Certain Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus?).

For additional details, check out the article: The Great Monarch: Biblical and Catholic Prophecies .

I believe that the Catholic private prophecies that seem to support the rise of the Great Monarch are part of Satan's plan to deceive and confuse people at the time of the end once the King of the North rises up. Christians are not to be ignorant of Satan's devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). The supporters of that king will likely point to Catholic private prophecies as proof that he is a good leader, contrary to what the Bible itself teaches (Daniel 11:21-45). The world will be deceived and those outside the real Church of God will believe the lie (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

Certain others have noted similarities between the Great Monarch and the coming Beast-Antichrist power. Notice the following:

The tradition of the Great King and the Holy Pope...first emerged from the Tiburtine Sibyl, a work that may date back to AD 380-400...

Catholic writer Paul Thigpen warns, "Looking for the Great Monarch, then, who does not appear in Scripture, might lead to overlooking the Antichrist who does. It might even lead to--a more disturbing thought--to mistaking the Antichrist for the Great Monarch. After all, lesser antichrists of the past such as Hitler and Stalin have seduced followers with visions of grand and glorious earthly kingdoms. Surely Antichrist of the last days will do the same." (Penn L. False dawn: the United Religions Initiative, globalism, and the quest for a one-world religion. Sophia Perennis, 2005, p. 420).

Notice the following from Roman Catholic writer Dr. Paul Thigpen, in the second edition of a book he wrote:

The Sibylline Oracles

A more serious problem appears when we look further back in time to discover the circumstances surrounding the earliest known occasions of the "Great Monarch" message. ... It does draw from a fourth-century book that describes in some detail the "Emperor of the Last Days."

As it turns out, both of these early texts are among the so-called Sibylline oracles. These oracles are a collection of utterances that claim to be inspired messages from the Greek Sibyls (ancient pagan prophetesses) in earlier historical periods. But historians have concluded that they were actually written by Jewish and Christian authors in imitation of pagan Sibylline books.

In the Tiburtina Sibyl, the earlier of the two texts, the main outlines of the "Great Monarch" legend (for a legend is what it seems to be) are already apparent. ...

Revelation says nothing of a "Great Monarch"--nor do any biblical references to the last days or the close of the age.

Could looking for the Great Monarch, then, lead believers to overlook the Antichrist, or even to mistake the one for the other? After all, lesser antichrists of the past such as Hitler and Stalin have seduced followers with visions of grand and glorious earthly kingdoms. (Thigpen P. The Rapture Trap, 2nd edition. Nihil obstat Joseph C. Price, June 14, 2002. Imprimatur Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, June 18, 2002. Ascension Press, 2002, pp. 222-225)

Greco-Roman Catholics and others need to be cautioned that this "Great Monarch" clearly seems to be warned against in scripture. More actual Catholic prophecies can be found in the article Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? The Great Monarch seems to be the one that the Bible identifies as the final King of the North and Beast of Revelation 13:4, which some Catholics, like Paul Thigpen, call the Antichrist.

In addition, it may be of interest to note that certain other "Catholic" writings indicate that the one we in the Continuing Church of God call Jesus they call the Antichrist (please see the article Do Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus?).

Perhaps it may be of interest to note that Hindus seem to be looking for a leader like the final King of the North that they refer to as the Bhagwan Kalki (for details, see India and the Beast of Revelation 13). The Chinese also seem to have prophecies that are looking forward to him as well (see Asia in Prophecy).

Might German Defense Minister Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg be the King of the North?

Now while it is not absolutely sure at this date who will be the final King of the North, there are candidates of interest. One would be the former German Defence Minister Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. His full name is Karl Theodor Maria Nikolaus Johann Jacob Philipp Franz Joseph Sylvester Freiherr von und zu Guttenberg.

Here is a news item from 2009:

The rise of China may in the future demand more forceful leadership in the West. Given the realities of geoeconomics it is not inconceivable that a far more dynamic leader such as German Economics Minister Karl Theodor von und zu Guttenberg might one day be in charge.

Is the past key to the future? If one goes back five centuries China and India ruled the global economy. Turkey dominated the world of Islam. Europe suddenly came together under the leadership of the young dynamic Habsburg Charles V, who ruled from Belgium. Charles sought to halt the expansion of Islam, defend European civilization, unite the continent and forge a Latin American empire. Europe enjoyed a global reach under his reign, not only by military might but by "soft power" and diplomacy.

If America declines, will Europe fill the vacuum, partly in response to the Chinese challenge? To some this seems unlikely but think back to the world of only a scant 10 years ago when the Anglo-American model of stakeholder capitalism stood triumphantly (and perhaps a tad arrogantly) and practically alone on the top of the heap, and how much has changed since then. (Karl Moore and David Lewis. The decline of America: The comfortable U.S. hegemony of the late 1990s has been upset by economic crises and military misadventure -- the future may belong to someone else. Ottowa Citizen. December 24, 2009. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/decline+America/2377175/story.html viewed 12/29/09).

Here are 21 items to consider:

Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is a leader from middle Europe.
He has a military background.
He is considered to have some economic expertise.
He was an extremely popular politician (the most popular in Germany in early 2010).
He is considered an expert on foreign policy.
He was "Minister of Defence" for Germany.
He is some type of Catholic.
Because he is married to a Lutheran (and she apparently did not convert prior to marriage), he apparently is not super strict about being Catholic (some other news reports I have seen also seem to confirm this in other ways as well).
His wife also has political connections.
He seems to have ecumenical tendencies, and that is what the "Great Monarch" of Catholic prophecies and the final Beast of Revelation would likely have.
He is a descendant of the Habsburg line of rulers (the Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire were from the Habsburg line).
He may be considered to be entitled to use the "King of Jerusalem" title that Otto von Habsburg held (see Otto von Habsburg was “King of Jerusalem”? for more details of that).
Charlemagne was a Frank-German leader and "Holy Roman Emperor". Certain Catholic prophecies indicate that the "Great Monarch" will be a descendant of Charlemagne.
His blood line crosses into various countries in Europe (at least Germany, France, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Croatia).
He has the right to select the priest for his parish. Hence, the idea that political leaders should be involved with religion is something he was raised up believing. A leader combining church and state is prophesied in Daniel 11:37-38 and Revelation 13.
The understanding that his title means "Baron of the Holy Roman Empire" is interesting as the Book of Revelation describes a power that would resemble a re-emergence of "the Holy Roman Empire" and Catholic prophecy specifically tells of a time when "The Great King will be crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the reigning Pope" (Birch DA. Trial, Tribulation & Triumph: Before During and After Antichrist. Queenship Publishing Company, Goleta (CA), 1996,, p. 555).
The fact that he has been the most popular political leader in Germany suggests that he has a certain charisma that would be consistent with that which is expected for the final Beast leader (Daniel 8:23-25; 11:23-24).
Because one of his relatives was involved in a plot against Hitler in 1944, he may be perceived as less of a threat than others with a German background.
He is considered to be a smooth talking attractive leader.
Some of his entertainment actions suggest that beneath his exterior he may have certain "vile" tendencies (cf. Daniel 11:21).
He rose to powerful positions quite quickly. And may do that again.

To slightly expand on point 14, notice the following news account that suggests his wife's attitude is that the state is above the Catholic church:

...Stephanie zu Guttenberg, the head of a leading child protection group and wife of Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, who called on the state to get tougher on abuse rather than leave it to the Church...Guttenberg, who is the German president of the anti-abuse group Innocence in Danger, said the state could not leave it to the Church alone to pursue abuse.

“Priests and clergymen are citizens of the Federeral Republic of Germany. And if a citizen here commits a crime, then that must be punished through the institutions of the state,” she told reporters at a fundraising event Monday evening. (Minister calls for abuse compensation. The Local: German News in English, 9 Mar 10. http://www.thelocal.de/national/20100309-25745.html viewed 03/09/10)

So, if Baron Guttenberg has a similar attitude to his wife, he may feel that the state has the obligation to be above the Catholic church--a view that seems consistent with one that the King of the North has (cf. Daniel 11:36-38).

If Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is involved with a future Middle East peace deal and he establishes some type of new religious "Catholic" order, then it could very well be that he could be the final King of the North. But even if he is not, we are certainly living in times where a powerful leader in Europe will rise up.

Notice something that was published in a book that I wrote in 2009 (it was printed in August 2009):

The King of the North will probably proclaim “peace and safety” while plotting for the sudden destruction of those opposing him (1 Thessalonians 5:2–3). This would be a second false proclamation of peace. The sudden destruction is likely to include a nuclear attack, and could possibly happen in conjunction with a NATO exercise that would catch the U.S.A. and its Anglo-allies off guard (other nations are likely to also be involved). (Thiel B. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. Nazarene Books, 2009, pp. 302-303).

Notice the following two news item from 2010:

German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg Calls For NATO Reforms

"We speak too much and achieve too little,” said the German Ministe {sic} as he hoped for "courageous and pragmatic” proposals to reform NATO to meet its objectives. The Minister was discussing the need for redeveloping the strategic concept for NATO and urged for inclusion of ideas from the new member states. (German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg Calls For NATO Reforms. Source: eGov monitor - A Policy Dialogue Platform. Published Wednesday, 17 February, 2010 - 17:20. http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/33747 viewed 02/20/2010).

German minister calls for Lisbon treaty EU army

GERMAN FOREIGN minister Guido Westerwelle has called for the EU to proceed with plans for a European army under the Lisbon Treaty, which he dubbed “the beginning and not the end” of a common security and defence policy.

His remarks at the annual Munich Security Conference followed a call by Berlin’s defence minister Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg to end what he called Nato’s “absurd” practice of unanimous decision-making (Scally D. German minister calls for Lisbon treaty EU army. The Irish Times - Monday, February 8, 2010. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2010/0208/1224263954855.html viewed 02/20/2010).

Notice that the Baron wanted NATO to be changed. Yet he still wants NATO around. And he wants it to be able to make decisions without all the nations in it agreeing--he considers that having to get all agree is "absurd." That may not bode well for the one nation known as the USA. And that indicates that Baron Guttenberg seems to have dictatorial tendencies.

Of course, this does not prove that Karl-Theodor von und zu Guttenberg will have to be the King of the North, but these items may be more than an interesting coincidence. Time will tell--even his recent resignation from being German Defense Minister is consistent with certain prophecies.

(More information on Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg can be found in the detailed article Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North?)

The United States of America and Its English-Speaking Allies Are Destroyed According to the Bible, Nostradamus, and Herbert W. Armstrong. And Europe Represents End-Time Assyria.

The King of the North will realize by this time that the United States and its British-descended allies are not supportive of its Middle East actions. Thus, apparently some type of pre-emptive strike will be launched to eliminate them. This "surprise attack" approach has been used by German and other armies throughout history.

Specifically notice that the Bible shows that this King of the North will destroy those who are perceived to have the strongest military might and apparently divide up their land:

39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain (Daniel 11:39).

The strongest fortresses in the world belong to the USA and to a much lessor extent, its English-speaking allies (for a more detailed explanation of why the USA and its Anglo-allies are involved, as well as the dividing of their lands, please see Anglo - America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel). Some would call this attack World War III (WWIII).

Daniel 11:24 seems to parallel this as it teaches that the King of the North has plans against the strongholds and succeeds against the prosperous. Many translations of Daniel 11:39 support this idea:

39 He shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. Those who acknowledge him he shall load with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price. (ESV)

39 He will take action against the strongest of fortresses with the help of a foreign god; he will give great honor to those who acknowledge him and will cause them to rule over the many, and will parcel out land for a price.. (NASB)

39 Claiming this foreign god’s help, he will attack the strongest fortresses. He will honor those who submit to him, appointing them to positions of authority and dividing the land among them as their reward. (NLT)

39 So he shall deal against the fortresses of the strongest with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge: and shall increase with glory. He shall cause them to rule over many and divide the land for a price. (AFV)

39 He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price. (NIV)

39 He’ll take action against the strongest fortresses. With the help of a foreign god, he’ll recognize those who honor him, making them rule over many, and he’ll parcel out the land for a profit. (ISB of 2012)

39 He shall deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god; those who acknowledge him he shall magnify with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price. (RSV)

39 He shall deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god; those who acknowledge him he shall magnify with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price. (RSV, Catholic Edition)

39 And he shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god; whom he shall acknowledge, shall increase glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for a price. (Jewish Publication Society of 1917)

(More on the 'strongest fortresses' can be found in the article USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses .)

Isaiah warns that "The fortress also will cease from Ephraim" (Isaiah 17:3)--but unlike Manasseh (USA), Ephraim (UK, etc.) simply does not have the strongest fortresses in the 21st century. Yet, when you combine Isaiah 17:3 with Daniel 11:39 you see that the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies will lose their military might. The coming defeat of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies could be called World War III (WWIII; see also World War III: Steps in Progress).

This passage about the "strongest fortresses" in Daniel 11:39 cannot be referring to the continental Europeans as they support the King of the North, nor can it be referring to the Russians, Chinese, or other Asians as they do not get involved until verse 44 (see also The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy).

10 All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword, Who say, 'The calamity shall not overtake nor confront us.' (Amos 9:10)

People who have faith that the USA will continue and get through all of this should ask themselves, "Why?" They also may wish to ask themselves since the Bible talks about end time kings of the north (Daniel 11:44-45), south (Daniel 11:40), and east (Revelation 16:12), why does it not mention an end time king of the west? The USA is west of Jerusalem, in a major sense is currently the "King of the West", and apparently is the Western naval power of Daniel 11:30--yet no King of the West seems to exist after the King of the North eliminates those with the strongest fortresses (Daniel 11:39) (for more information, please also see the article Who is the King of the West?).

How will the Europeans be able to do this? For years, I have believed it would be because of technological advances as well as the USA trusting Europe too much. And Europe has made great strides in areas of military technology that relatively few seem to realize. For details, please check out the article European Technology and the Beast of Revelation as well as a related YouTube video titled Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.

Unless the English-speaking peoples repent of their sins the Bible teaches that their nations will be destroyed (see also Hosea 8:1-13). These English-speaking peoples are becoming the most indebted nations of all time and the Bible shows that those who load themselves with pledges will have their creditors rise up against them suddenly and destroyed them (see Habakkuk 2:6-7). For those who disbelieve that the Europeans can do this, I will simply add that the Bible states that the Assyrians (whose descendants are in Europe) will not intend to destroy, but will do it anyway (read about the Assyrians in Isaiah 10:5-7) (see also Europa, the Beast, and Revelation).

Perhaps I should add here that some additional reasons that the King of the North is Assyria. We in the Philadelphia remnant of the Church of God (like the late Herbert W. Armstrong) believe that the Assyrian peoples migrated into central Europe in ancient times (see Germany's Assyrian Roots Throughout History and Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy). Many scholars believe that the descendants of the biblical Asshur (Genesis 10:22) seem to have become Assyria (Radmacher Concordance in. Nelson Study Bible, p. 11). Even Jerome indicated that the descendants of the biblical Asshur ended up in Europe (Jerome. Letter CXXIII to Ageruchia, Chapter 16. Translated by W.H. Fremantle, G. Lewis and W.G. Martley. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 6. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1893.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3001123.htm>).

And there is additional scriptural support. Check out the following which ties Assyria in with the north and the end time Babylonian power (cf. Revelation 17 & 18 to Zephaniah 2:15):

13 And He will stretch out His hand against the north, Destroy Assyria, And make Nineveh a desolation, As dry as the wilderness. 14 The herds shall lie down in her midst, Every beast of the nation. Both the pelican and the bittern Shall lodge on the capitals of her pillars; Their voice shall sing in the windows; Desolation shall be at the threshold; For He will lay bare the cedar work. 15 This is the rejoicing city That dwelt securely, That said in her heart,"I am it, and there is none besides me." How has she become a desolation, A place for beasts to lie down! Everyone who passes by her Shall hiss and shake his fist. (Zephaniah 2:13-15)

Notice that God, who will punish Assyria (as also confirmed in Isaiah 10:12) is stretching His hand against a power of the north. That this northern power is Assyria. The King of the North will rule over end-time Assyria. And how do we know that the above is an end time prophecy? Well, check out the following:

5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. 7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, 'I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.' 8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day — death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her. 9 "The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.' (Revelation 18:5-10)

13 Because of the wrath of the Lord She shall not be inhabited, But she shall be wholly desolate. Everyone who goes by Babylon shall be horrified And hiss at all her plagues. (Jeremiah 50:13)

The description of the end time destruction of Mystery Babylon and the Beast and that of Assyria in Zephaniah seem to be referring to the same series of events. The King of the North is Assyrian. Furthermore, the Old Testament refers to a northern power as “the daughter of Babylon” (cf. Jeremiah 50:41-43; Zechariah 2:6-7) that resembles the Babylon of Revelation—thus a different type of Babylon is prophesied to exist in the end times (ancient Babylon was not a northern power).

It may be of interest to note that the famous "prophet" Nostradamus seems to teach that London and America will be put in discord by a false Antichrist (who may be the King of the North as he works with the final Antichrist) or the Antichrist (who will somewhat direct the King of the North)--the translations are a bit unclear.

And while many Catholics distance themselves from his writing, Nostradamus was a Catholic. One Catholic writer wrote:

Nostradamus ... A member of the third order of St. Francis, he enjoyed the friendship of Pope Pius IV. He was a devout Catholic all his life ... Nostradamus was an authentic seer (Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p. 93).

Here is a writing from Nostradamus that mentions a "King of the North" and apparently the pope (called the "Vicar of the Cope"):

Then the King of the North, hearing the complaint of the people from his chief state, will raise up a mighty army, and pass through the limits of his last progenitors and great-grandfathers, to him who will replace almost everything in its old condition. The great Vicar of the Cope shall be put back to his pristine state; but, desolated and abandoned by all...The Sacred Scriptures will be burnt (Letter to Henry II, King of France, From Salon this 27th June, 1558. Cited in Culleton R. Gerald. The Reign of Antichrist, TAN Books, Rockford, IL, p. 144).

Thus, if this is the same King of the North (there are many interpretations of his quatrains), Nostradamus' vision suggests that he will lead an army and that ultimately the Vatican will have problems (whether this is before or after the army is put together was not clear)--but if the King of the North helps the Vatican (and Bible prophecy indicates that), the Vatican would likely be quite grateful to the King of the North and this may be why certain Catholic writers indicate that a Pope will crown the "Great Monarch" the head of the "Holy Roman Empire" (e.g. Birch, DA. Trial, Tribulation & Triumph: Before During and After Antichrist. Queenship Publishing Company, Goleta (CA), 1996, pp. 281. 515).

Note: below are two translations of one of Nostradamus' writings following what I believe is the original French, hence that is why I have given two interpretations:

C10:Q66

Le chef de Londres par regne l'Americh,
L'Isle d'Escosse tempiera par gelee:
Roy Reb auront vn si faux Antechrist,
Que les mettra trestous dans la meslee.

The chief of London through the realm of America,
The Isle of Scotland will be tried by frost:
King and "Reb" will face an Antichrist so false,
That he will place them in the conflict all together.

(Nostradamus. Les Propheties. 1840 Bareste edition. http://yowusa.com/nostradamus/c10/61.shtml visited 10/22/07).

X / 66
The chief of London by rule of America,
The Island of Scotland shall be tempered by frost,
Kings and Priests shall have one, who is a false Anti-Christ
Who will put them altogether in discord. (Yurchey, Doug. Nostradamus 2000. http://farshores.org/dy09.htm visited 10/22/07).

Nostradamus also wrote:

Under the sign of Libra, America shall reign, Shall hold power in the sky and on land, Shall never perish under Asian forces, Until seven Pontificates have passed. (Dupont, p.94)

Comment: As a great world power, the U.S.A. began its "reign" during the first World War--but it was not the greatest world power; in 1918, that was France. In 1945, however, the U.S.A. was, by and large, the greatest world power. I think it is from the reign of Pius XII that the seven Pontificates must be counted, and this brings us to the last Pope according to St. Malachy's list--when the world will end. (comment is from the Catholic writer Dupont personally, p.94)

Anyway, it appears that the above private Catholic prophecies suggest that the end of the USA will thus be in the 21st century and will involve an Anti-Christ. And some King of the North will raise a great army--which Daniel 11:25 says he will.

As far as other non-biblical prophecies go, here is something from the "War Scroll" of the Dead Sea scrolls (c. 100 BCE):

the supremacy of the Kittim shall cease that wickedness be overcome without a remnant. (1QM 1:6b)

This looks like a reference to the end of the USA consistent with several biblical prophecies. At least one commentator (Schutz) says the reference to Kittim here is referring to the "friend of Israel" (Peters D, et al, eds. The War Scroll, Violence, War and Peace in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literaturep. Brill, 2015, 209), which is how the USA has been perceived for decades.

In 1948, Herbert W. Armstrong taught:

Thus once this EMPIRE is revived in Europe ... the new-born ... military power will without warning DESTROY AMERICAN AND BRITISH CITIES OVERNIGHT WITH ATOMIC BOMBS, conquering our peoples, taking our survivors to Europe as THEIR SLAVES! (Armstrong HW. Now it Can Be Told. The Plain Truth magazine. December 1948, p. 6).

Thousands of years ago, notice what God had Habakkuk record:

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time.
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie...
6 'Woe to him who increases
What is not his--how long?
And to him who loads himself with many pledges'?
7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly?
Will they not awaken who oppress you?
And you will become their booty (Habakkuk 2:3,6,7).

Notice that Habakkuk wrote that at the appointed time of the end (which is mentioned several times in Daniel 11, hence this appears to be for the same time) a those who are deep in debt (loaded with "many pledges") will become the "booty" (slaves) of creditors. The USA is the most indebted nation of all time and its English-speaking allies are all also deeply in debt. Since we are near the appointed time of end, does it not make sense that this would be referring to the USA and its English-speaking allies?

And while some may argue that the USA and its Anglo-allies are not in debt to the Europeans, this is not quite true. Europe is heavily invested in the USA and UK. And, the Europeans plan to invest even more in both of those nations per recent news articles (e.g. Der Spiegel, December 22, 2008). Furthermore, as the USA is heavily indebted to the Arabs, they will support this destruction according to the deal in Daniel 11:27, presuming this is the same deal as Psalm 83 (for details, please see Is There A Future King of the South?).

Herbert W. Armstrong made it clear in his later years that he believed that the King of the North (the one mentioned in Daniel 11:40-41 which is the same one who places the abomination mentioned in Daniel 11:31, where the 1290 days starts) would destroy the British and American peoples. Notice some of what he wrote about that in 1979:

The indication is the armies of the "beast" of Revelation 17, entering Jerusalem (Dan 11:41, Zech. 14:2), will stop this "daily sacrifice"...And the abomination that maketh desolate set up." What is this abomination? This refers to Daniel 11:31 and Matthew 24:15 ... From this time (Daniel 12:11) to Christ's coming will be 1290 days. Now, verse 12, "Blessed is he that waiteth, and comes to the 1335 days." Never before have we understood these periods of 1260, 1290. and 1335 days. But it seems evident, now, a blessing is pronounced on us--GOD"S CHURCH--who wait and endure until the 1335 days--approximately 1335 days prior to Christ's coming ... We shall then be warned, and readied to be taken to a place of refuge and safety from the Great Tribulation. Forty-five days later "the beast's armies" will surround Jerusalem. Thirty days later the Great Tribulation will probably start with a nuclear attack on London and Britain--and possibly the same day or immediately after, on the United States and Canadian cities. The GREAT TRIBULATION, we shall fully then realize, is the time of "Jacob's Trouble," spoken of in Jeremiah 30:7. And Jacob's name was named on Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen. 48:16). At that time a third of the people in our nations will die, or shall have died, by famine and disease epidemics; another third will dies of the war--our cities being destroyed (Ezek. 6:6), and the remaining third will be carried to the land of our enemies as slaves (Ezek. 5:12). Armstrong, Herbert W. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General's Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979, Page 2).

Australians and New Zealanders should not take real comfort in the above as after the USA and UK are out of the way, Canada will been among "the nations not a few' (Isaiah 10:7, KJV) that the forces of the King of the North will "cut off" (for more information about Canada, who was listed above, please see the article Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada?).

Notice that the Bible tells of a coming time of massive devastation:

23 'The whole land is brimstone, salt, and burning; it is not sown, nor does it bear, nor does any grass grow there, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in His anger and His wrath.' (Deuteronomy 29:23-24)

19 Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts
The land is burned up,
And the people shall be as fuel for the fire; No man shall spare his brother.
20 And he shall snatch on the right hand
And be hungry;
He shall devour on the left hand
And not be satisfied; Every man shall eat the flesh of his own arm. 21 Manasseh shall devour Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; Together they shall be against Judah (Isaiah 9:19-21).

The above descriptions are consistent with a nuclear or similar attack. Manasseh represents the USA and Ephraim its British-descended allies. THIS HAS NOT YET HAPPENED IN HISTORY AND IS A PROPHECY FOR OUR TIME. Related to the first passages, notice:

29 "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29)

The above is one reason that Protestants and most others that profess Christ do not understand these prophecies--they do not do the words of the law that God expects His people to do today.

The Anglo-descended nations of the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as likely their outlaying territories, will be conquered militarily with many of their surviving peoples being made slaves. For more details, please see Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves?

It should be noted that certain Laodicean COGs (LCG and PCG come to immediate mind) improperly hold to the sequence that the King of the North attacks the King of the South, then the time of Jacob's trouble begins with the Great Tribulation and the USA and/or UK is attacked. This is illogical for several reasons. Notice the following from the Statement of Official Beliefs of the Living Church of God (LCG) that was viewed online at its cogl.org website 9/20/15:

THE "GREAT TRIBULATION"

The Bible speaks of a time of great catastrophe, called the "Great Tribulation" (Matthew 24:21-22; Daniel 11:40-45; 12:1; Luke 21:19-36)—also called "Jacob’s trouble" (Jeremiah 30:3-7).

The above contains multiple contradictions. First, an attack against a confederation of nations in the Middle East and North Africa (which is what the King of the South will rule) is not part of JACOB'S TROUBLE. Secondly, the nations mentioned in the King of the South passages are not the USA nor UK nor their Anglo-Saxon descended allies. And third, LCG teaches that the 'Day of the Lord' lasts one year and comes after the Great Tribulation--yet Daniel 11:44-45 come towards the END of the Day of the Lord (which other LCG literature teaches). Hence, there are at least three errors in that one sentence that LCG holds to.

While some like LCG teach that the Great Tribulation also called the 'time of the end' does not begin until verse 40, that is a misunderstanding of how the Hebrew text should be understood. The 'and' in verse 40 is not the start of the end, but a continuation of what began in verse 39. This is known by others. For example, the Barnes Notes on the Bible states:

And at the time of the end .... The "time of the end" must properly denote the end or consummation of the series of events under consideration, or the matter in hand, and properly and obviously means here the end or consummation of the transactions which had been referred to in the previous part of the vision. It is equivalent to what we should say by expressing it thus: "at the winding up of the affair."

The ONLY way to reconcile that the time of Jacob's trouble (Jeremiah 30:7) starts with the beginning of the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21) is to realize that it begins with verse 39 of the sequence in Daniel 11. Those who hold to a start of the Great Tribulation AFTER the King of the North attacks the King of the South will not know until it is too late.

Sadly, many misunderstand that truth about the King of the North and will end up going through the Great Tribulation unless they repent (cf. Revelation 3:14-18; for more details, see also The Laodicean Church Era).

Why Do America and its Anglo-Allies Get Destroyed?

Why would Europe destroy the U.S.A. and its Anglo-allies?

Because it is the nominally Protestant U.S.A. that most stands in the way of the goals of a future claimed Catholic-influenced Europe to dominate the world. Only by eliminating the vast bastions of Protestantism (which certain Catholic prophecies show is a goal), such as the U.S.A. and its Anglo-allies, can this domination be attained.

Why would God allow some of the greatest nations of all time to be destroyed as the Anglo-Americans have been in the forefront of distributing Bibles, helping in humanitarian matters, assisting with international disasters, etc.?

Because the New Testament clearly teaches:

48 For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required (Luke 12:48).

The US and its Anglo-allies have been given much. Yet, they allow abortion (Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman's Right to Choose) and other sins. And they ignore much of real biblical prophecy (Amos 9:10).

The New Testament also teaches:

16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin (James 4:16-17).

Anglo-American religious leaders should all know that they need to denounce sin, but most have compromised on several points. (More on why the Anglo-American peoples get destroyed first, as well as who they are, can be found in the article Anglo - America in Prophecy.)

The Bible also teaches:

5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. 6 I will send him against an hypocritical nation (Isaiah 10:5-6, KJV).

Christians all need to realize that when Jesus came, He clearly condemned the hypocritical religious leaders of His day (e.g. Luke 11:44), more directly than the more obvious sinners (Matthew 9:10-13). This is not to say that non-Anglo peoples do not have sin or that they will not be punished (for the European Assyrians will clearly also be punished, per Isaiah 10:12 and Zephaniah 2:13-15), but that the punishment will begin first on those that should have known better—those who claimed to live by the Bible but have repeatedly failed to do so.

And while the gospel warning message will be made quite clear to the English-speaking peoples prior to Daniel 11:38, because the Anglo-American nations are not likely to heed that warning, they will have to answer for their lack of response (cf. Ezekiel 33:7-9).

Some Catholic Private Prophecies Favor the King, Others Are Warning Against Him

It is not just Church of God leaders who expect a military leader to arise and rule a European revival of the "Holy Roman Empire" and destroy the English-speaking peoples. Catholic writers have as well, though sadly some (though NOT all as will be shown in this section) seem to favor such a leader.

Catholic prophecy also indicates that a pontiff who does miracles will crown him as the final 'Holy Roman Emperor':

Bl. Anna-Maria Taigi (19th Century)..."After the three days of darkness, St. Peter and St. Paul, having come down from Heaven, will preach in the whole world and designate a new Pope. A great light will flash from their bodies and will settle upon the cardinal who is to become Pope. Christianity, then, will spread throughout the world. He is the Holy Pontiff, chosen by God to withstand the storm. At the end, he will have the gift of miracles, and his name shall be praised over the whole earth (Birch, pp. 362-363).

The Great King will be crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the reigning Pope (Birch, p. 555).

There are various private Catholic prophecies that are looking forward to the Great Monarch (who we in the faithful of the Church of God consider to be the King of the North), who they teach is to arise after civil unrest in parts of Europe. This unrest may simply be internal, with at least some of it due to immigrant issues arising from the rising Islamic populations in much of the EU. The European "Great Monarch" is expected to resolve matters first within Europe, then the fate of the Anglo-descended nations, and then the fate of much of the Islamic world.

Here are some Catholic prophecies related to this Great Monarch (note: it is possible that the "capital of the world" below being referred to is Washington D.C.--hence the United States of America may be discussed; also note that England was not known by that name in the 500s, hence the prophecy that mentions it would have used a different term in its original language that the Catholic translator apparently has concluded is modern England or those who are/speak English):

Bl. Anna-Maria Taigi (19th century). France shall fall into a frightful anarchy. The French shall have a desperate civil war in the course of which even old men will take up arms. The political parties, having exhausted their blood and their rage without being able to arrive at any satisfactory settlement, shall agree at the last extremity to have recourse to the Holy See. Then the Pope shall send to France a special legate...In consequence of the information received, His Holiness himself shall nominate a most Christian King for the government of France (Dupont, p.45).

The Ecstatic of Tours...The revolution will spread to every French town. Wholesale slaughter will take place. This revolution will last only a few months but it will be frightful; blood will flow everywhere because the malice of the wicked will reach its highest pitch. Victims will be innumerable. Paris will look like a slaughter-house. Persecutions against the Church will be even greater, but it will not last long...Many bishops and priest will be put to death. The archbishop of Paris will be murdered...At this juncture, the French people will turn back to God and implore the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary Immaculate...The French people will ask for the good King, he who was chosen by God. He will come, this saviour whom God has spared for France, this King who is not wanted now because he is dear to God's Heart. He will ascend to the throne; he will free the church and reassert the Pope's rights... (Dupont, p.37)

Sister Marianne Gaultier (18th century): "...When all shall appear lost, all will be saved...It is then that the Prince shall reign, whom people did not esteem before, but whom they shall then seek. The triumph of religion shall be so great that no one has ever seen the equal (Dupont, p. 75).

Bernhardt Rembordt (18th century). "Cologne will be the site of a terrible battle...At that time France will be divided. The German Empire will choose a simple man as the Emperor, who will rule for a short time. His successor will be the man for whom the world has longed. He will be called a "Roman Emperor," and he will give peace to the world. A good and happy era will follow. God will be praised on earth, and war will be no more." (Dupont, pp.34-35)

Werdin d' Otrante (13th century): "The Great Monarch and the Great Pope will precede Antichrist...All the sects will vanish. The capital of the world will fall...The Great Monarch will come and restore peace and the Pope will share in the victory." (Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p. 33).

Saint Cataldus of Tarentino (c. 500): "The Great Monarch will be in war till he is forty years of age....he will assemble great armies and expel tyrants from his empire. He will conquer England and other island empires" (Connor, p.30).

Mother Shipton (d. 1551) “The time will come when England shall tremble and quake…London shall be destroyed forever after . . . and then York shall be London and the Kingdom governed by three Lords appointed by a Royal Great monarch…who will set England right and drive out heresy (Culleton, p. 163).

Priest Nectou (d. 1772): ...when England shall begin to wane in power, the destruction of Paris shall be at hand. This shall be a sign. England shall, in her turn, suffer a more frightful revolution than that of France (Culleton, p. 176).

Telesphorus of Cozensa (16th century). "A powerful French Monarch and French Pope will regain the Holy Land after terrible wars in Europe. They will convert the world and bring universal peace...'' (Dupont, p. 31).

Father Laurence Ricci, S.J. (died 1775): "After the rule of Napoleon a time will come when the people will become poor and the world will be punished in three ways: wars, famines, and pestilences. At a time when the whole world seems doomed, God will intervene. With His aide a valiant duke will arise from the ancient German house which was humiliated by the French monarch. This great ruler will restore stolen Church property. Protestantism will cease and the Turkish empire will end. This duke will be the most powerful monarch on earth. At a gathering of men noted for piety and wisdom he will, with the aid of the Pope, introduce new rules, and ban the spirit of confusion. Everywhere there will be one fold and one shepherd." (Conner p.37)

Melanie Calvat (The Seeress of La Salette, 19th century). "After a frightful war a Great King will arise and his reign will be marked by a wonderful peace and a great religious revival." (Dupont, p.13).

Monk Adso (10th century). "Some of our Teachers say that a King of the Franks will possess the entire Roman Empire. He will be the greatest and the last of all Monarchs. After having wisely governed his kingdom, he will go in the end to Jerusalem and will lay down his sceptre and his crown upon the Mount of Olives..." (Dupont, p.18).

Brother Louis Rocco (19th century): Terrible wars will rage all over Europe. God has long been patient with the corruption of morals; half of mankind He will destroy. Russia will witness many outrages. Great cities and small towns alike will be destroyed in a bloody revolution that will cause the death of half the population. In Istanbul (Constantinople) the Cross will replace the half-moon of Islamism, and Jerusalem will be the seat of a King. The southern Slavs will form a great Catholic Empire and drive out of Europe the Turks (Mohammedans), who will withdraw to North Africa and subsequently embrace the Catholic faith. (Dupont, p.76)

Bl. Rabanus Maurus (died 856): Our principal doctors agree in announcing to us, that towards the end of time one of the descendants of France shall reign over all the Roman Empire; that he shall be the greatest of the Empire; and that he shall be the greatest of the French monarch, and the last of his race. After happily governed his kingdom, he will go to Jerusalem, and depose on Mount of Olives his sceptre and crown. This shall be the end and conclusion of the Roman… Empire. (Culleton, The Prophets and Our Times, p. 136)

Venerable Bartholomew Holzhauser (died 1658):..."Are we not to fear, during this period, that the Mohammedans will come again, working out their sinister schemes against the Latin Church? (Dupont, p.39).

Venerable Bartholomew Holzhauser (died 1658):..."When everything has been ruined by war; when Catholics are hard pressed by traitorous co-religionists and heretics; when the Church and her servants are denied their rights, the monarchies have been abolished and their rulers murdered...then the hand of Almighty God will work a marvelous change, something apparently impossible according to human understanding. There will rise a valiant monarch anointed by God. He will be a Catholic, a descendant of Louis IX, (yet) a descendant of an ancient imperial German family, born in exile. He will rule supreme in temporal matters. The Pope will rule supreme in spiritual matters at the same time. Persecution will cease and justice shall reign. Religion seems to be oppressed, but by the changes of entire kingdoms it will be made more firm.

"He will root out false doctrines and destroy the rule of the Moslemism. His dominion will extend from the East to the West. All nations will adore God their Lord according to Catholic teaching. There will be many wise and just men. The people will love justice, and peace will reign over the whole earth, for divine power will bind Satan for many years until the coming of the Son of Perdition.

"The reign of the Great Ruler may be compared with that of Caesar Augustus, who became Emperor after his victory over his enemies, thereby giving peace to the world--also with the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great, who was sent by God, after severe persecutions, to deliver both the Church and State. By his victories on water and land he brought the Roman empire under subjection, which he then ruled in peace...

"The Great Monarch will have the special help of God and be unconquerable.

"The Fifth Epoch of time dates from the reign of Charles V until the reign of the Great Monarch.

"The Sixth Epoch from the Great Monarch until Antichrist. This Sixth Epoch of the Church--'the time of consolation'--begins with the Holy Pope and the Powerful Emperor, and terminates with the reign of Antichrist. This will be an age of solace, wherein God will console His church after the many mortifications and afflictions she had endured in the Fifth period, for all nations will be brought to the unity of the true Catholic Faith." (Connor, pp.35-36).

Recall that the Bible warns that followers of the Beast will teach he cannot be beaten:

4 Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him? (Revelation 13:4).

The Bible itself teaches that the King of the North will act against the strongest fortresses (Daniel 11:39) and later (Daniel 11:40-43) the King of the South.

Recall that those associated with the King of the North cause an abomination to occur in Daniel 11:31. Around that time, a false peace will be declared:

14 They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly,
Saying, 'Peace, peace!'
When there is no peace.
15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination?
No! They were not at all ashamed;
Nor did they know how to blush (Jeremiah 6:14-15).

Notice that people are being warned by Jeremiah to NOT believe the false peace proclaimed by those that committed the abomination, but some people will anyway. And disaster will come from the North:

22 Thus says the Lord: "Behold, a people comes from the north country, And a great nation will be raised from the farthest parts of the earth. 23 They will lay hold on bow and spear; They are cruel and have no mercy; Their voice roars like the sea; And they ride on horses, As men of war set in array against you, O daughter of Zion." 24 We have heard the report of it; Our hands grow feeble. Anguish has taken hold of us, Pain as of a woman in labor. (Jeremiah 6:22-24)

When the final contest between the King of the North vs. the King of the South occurs (and this also seems to parallel Daniel 11:25-26), the King of the South will lose:

40 "At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels.

Yes, the "great army" (Daniel 11:25) along with "many ships (Daniel 11:40) will be a factor in the defeat of the King of the South.

The destruction of the King of the South by the King of the North in Daniel 11:40-43 is also shown in Ezekiel 30:2-8. Ezekiel 30:2 ties this in with the final time of the Gentiles, which also ties in with the Great Tribulation (see also When Will the Great Tribulation Begin?)--this invasion happens after the Great Tribulation has begun (cf. Ezekiel 30:2).

Something else to mention is that Daniel 11:43 also shows that the King of the North amasses gold. It may well be that by that time the King of the North will realize that his currency needs more gold-backing as the invasion of the USA and the final collapse of the USA dollar will likely send shockwaves against other paper currencies--he may have began that in Daniel 11:24 (see also When will the Great Tribulation Begin). The Bible is clear that the final Beast power will make people wealthy with gold (Revelation 18:11-16). He also might start amassing it prior to the invasion of the USA or the King of the South. (For more on gold, see also The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold?).

The above prophecy, made thousands of years ago, shows that in the time of the end that Egypt will have gold. Egypt relatively recently reopened an ancient gold mine which may become its largest source of wealth--see the news item Gold of Egypt; Egypt also has some oil resources that are now being developed. Thus even today we are seeing the prophetic scenario being fulfilled before our eyes--Egypt had to have significant amounts of gold, silver, and other wealth for the King of the North to be noted for taking its gold, silver, and other treasures for Daniel 11:43 to come to pass.

The amassing of gold by the King of the North is consistent with three Orthodox prophecies that are supposed to be about the "Great Monarch":

Emperor Leo the Philosopher (c. early 10th century): You will amass the gold of the nations...And you will be the leader of the surrounding powers...and those that are near will prostate themselves before your feet (Tzima Otto, H. The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Scriptural Prophecies. The Verenika Press, Rock Hill (SC), 2000, pp. 76-77).

To Emperor Manuel II (d. 1425): ...upon the command of the the good Emperor they will go and discover treasures of gold and silver and all this will be offered as a gift to the pious ones; later on more and more valuable treasures will be found and the Emperor will do with those treasures likewise (ibid, p. 102).

Saint Andrew Fool-for-Christ (c. 4th century): God will reveal to this king all the gold wherever it happen to lay concealed from view. And he will re-distribute it in a liberal manner to all his land. Due to the plentiness of wealth, the ruling class will live like kings, and the poor like the ruling class (ibid, p. 112).

Roman Catholics may wish to consider that those last three predictions sound a lot like a prophecy from two of their saints about Antichrist:

Saint Ephrem (died 375): Antichrist will use worldly goods as bait. He will entice many Christians with money and goods to apostatize...The devil will help him find all the hidden treasures of the world, even those at the bottom of the ocean. With those treasures he will attain greater success for the reign of Satan than at any other time in past centuries (Connor, pp.73.74).

Saint Mechtilda (died 1299): Antichrist will, through base and false strategem, and with presents of gold and gems, attain influence over the worldly princes. They will look up to him as their Lord and God (Culleton, The Reign of Antichrist, pp. 133-134).

So does the Great Monarch amass gold with God's help like Orthodox prophecies suggest or does he amass and distribute gold with the help of Satan that two Catholic saints and certain biblical prophecies (Daniel 11:43; Revelation 18) indicate?

The answer should be obvious to all who wish to believe the God of the Bible.

The following seem to be referring to the King of Europe as like a Beast:

Nostradamus (16th century): As a Griffin the King of Europe shall come, Accompanied by those of Aquila. (Dupont, p. 105).

A Griffin is a mythological creature with parts of other animals like the head a lion, eagle's wings, and a fish (Dupont, p. 105). One variety is known as a “sea-griffin” and tends to resemble a dragon in its appearance, so in a sense, a Griffin could be considered as a beast from the sea (cf. Revelation 13:1) which also has the mouth of a lion (cf. Daniel 7:4; Revelation 13:2). In mythology, Aquila (a constellation) was owned by the Roman god Jupiter and performed many tasks for him (Aquila. Wikipedia, accessed 02/07/11).

Notice what the Bible warns about the beast power:

1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. (Revelation 13:1-2)

Thus, Nostradamus' "King of Europe" seems to have a resemblance to the beast. The prophecy is intriguing to me for many reasons, including the fact that it appears that many non-biblical prophecies are intended to mislead people so that they will not properly understand biblical ones.

Already over in Europe the Dutch and the Germans have what they call Project Griffin in place, which uses some version of that mythological Griffin creature for a symbol, but that also involves military cooperation between those two nations (see Obama’s aloof style disturbing Germany, the real ‘cost of coolness,’ and the ‘King of Europe’ Griffin?). While those of us in the Continuing Church of God are warning against an emerging “beast power” in Europe (Revelation 13:1-4), it may well be that those who support the coming Beast power will point to prophecies, such as some from Nostradamus, as proof that what they are doing is approved by their prophets and not a bad thing.

But it is not just prophecies from Nostradamus some may point to as justification. Notice this astounding prophecy where one "Catholic" prophet praises the "prince of the north" who destroys a coming Moslem empire, another where the "great warrior of the north" is mentioned ,and another where an Orthodox prophet teaches essentially the same thing:

Rudolph Gekner (died 1675). "A great prince of the North with a most powerful army will traverse all Europe, uproot all republics, and exterminate all rebels. His sword moved by Divine power will most valiantly defend the Church of Jesus Christ. He will combat on behalf of the true orthodox faith, and shall subdue to his dominion the Mahometan Empire. A new pastor of the universal church will come from the shore (of Dalmatia) through a celestial prodigy, and in simplicity of heart adorned with the doctrines of Jesus Christ. Peace will come to the world." (Connor, p.36).

Catholic Priest and saint John Bosco (19th century): War will come from the south, peace from the north. ... But behold, a great warrior from the north appears, a banner in his right hand, his arm bearing this inscription: 'Irresistible is the hand of the Lord.' At that moment the Venerable Old Man of Rome went forward to meet him, wielding a flaming torch. The banner then grew larger and its blackness became white as snow; in its center stood out the name of the Almighty in golden letter. The warrior and his followers bowed profoundly to the Venerable Old Man and joined hands with him. (THE THREE PROPHECIES OF ST. JOHN BOSCO, given 1870. http://www.franciscan-archive.org/bosco/opera/bosco.html#12 viewed 08/16/14)

Pseudo-Methodius (7th century): This new Muslim invasion will be a punishment without limit and mercy…In France, people of Christians will fight and kill them…At that same time the Muslims will be killed and they will know the tribulation…The Lord will give them to the powers of the Christians whose empire will be elevated above all empires…The Roman King (Great Monarch) will show a great indignation against those who will have denied Christ in Egypt or in Arabia (Araujo, Fabio R. Selected Prophecies and Prophets. BookSurge LLC, Charlestown (SC), 2007, p. 103).

In many ways, Satan's plan is the 'mirror image' of God's plan that is revealed in holy scripture. Satanically-inspired prophecies will deceive many. The one from John Bosco suggests that the King of the North will at least once bow before an anti-Pope. Although Jesus warned that many false prophets would arise, many have ignored His warnings and many more still will be deceived (Matthew 24:24). Christians are to "obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29, and this includes listening to religious leaders who do not rely enough on the Bible (cf. Acts 4:5-19). But, because of signs and wonders (Revelation 13:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Matthew 24:24), economic controls (Revelation 13:16-18), fear of persecution/death (Revelation 13:15; Daniel 7:25), social pressures (cf. Revelation 13:4,8), etc. many will not listen to the word of God over the word of Satan's agents. But the patient saints will (Revelation 14:12).

Some of the Orthodox actually seem to be looking forward to unity under the Roman Catholic "Great Monarch" (the one the Bible seems to warn will be the final King of the North). Notice the following by an Orthodox scholar:

We have been told time and again through the prophets that the Great Monarch and the Papa Angelicum ( a legitimate successor of John Paul II) will convene the 8th ecumenical conference, which will reunify all Christians...Although the choice evidence on the Great Monarch belongs to the prophetic patrimony of the Greeks, never and nowhere in the Oracles have I seen the least hint that the Emperor of the Romans and Greeks will also be an Orthodox Christian, and/or Greek by birth. On the contrary!...a Roman Catholic...the Great Monarch...is none other than the future Emperor of the Romans and the Greeks (Tzima Otto, H. The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Scriptural Prophecies. The Verenika Press, Rock Hill (SC), 2000, pp. xxv,5,14).

Certain Roman Catholics call this a time of peace, but the Bible shows that it will not be a time of peace. Also notice what Jeremiah was inspired to write:

11 For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly,
Saying, 'Peace, peace!'
When there is no peace.
12 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination?
No! They were not at all ashamed,
Nor did they know how to blush (Jeremiah 8:11-12).

This particular declaration of peace may be directed to try to calm the world (as well the Anglo-American captives) to try to persuade people that the militaristic King of the North really wants peace and that his victories will have then assured it. And while there will be some peace in some areas for a short while, it will not last.

Notice that at least one "Catholic" prophet considers this to be a great time for Babylon as it will apparently then dominate the Eastern Orthodox:

Abbott Joachim (died 1202)...A remarkable Pope will be seated on the pontifical throne, under special protection of the angels. Holy and full of gentleness, he shall undo all wrong, he shall recover the states of the Church, and reunite the exiled temporal powers. As the only Pastor, he shall reunite the Eastern to the Western Church...This holy Pope shall be both pastor and reformer. Through him the East and West shall be in ever lasting concord. The city of Babylon shall then be the head and guide of the world. Rome, weakened in temporal power, shall forever preserve her spiritual dominion, and shall enjoy great peace...At the beginning, in order to bring these happy results, having need of a powerful assistance, this holy Pontiff will ask the cooperation of the generous monarch of France (Great Monarch). (Cited in Connor, pp. 31-32).

The Bible, in Revelation and Jeremiah clearly condemns Babylon for its false religion, financial emphasis, and militaristic ways.

The King of the North Will Come to His End

The Bible teaches that the King of the North will be eliminated (cf. Revelation 19:20).

It may be of interest to note that Nostradamus also seems to have a prophecy that shows that two leaders (possibly the King of the North/Beast and the Antichrist) will be powerful together, and then eventually lose. It is shown below in French, along with a translation into English:

C4:Q95

Le regne à deux l'aissé bien peu tiendront,
Trois ans sept mois passez feront la guere
Les deux Vestales contre rebelleront,
Victor puisnay en Armenique terre (Nostradamus Repository. http://yowusa.com/nostradamus/c4/91.shtml viewed 12/04/08)

The rule will be left to two; they will hold it for a very short time.
Three years and seven months passed, they will go to war:
Their two vassals rebel against them,
The victor is born on Armenian soil.

Whether or not the King of the North was intended by Nostradamus is not certain (the time fits, but it may not be that the kings of the east and north are vassals, though they might be for a short time). It is possible that there could eventually be a Russian leader who was born on Armenian soil who will be victorious against them--though its would be Christ himself who actually kills the King of the North (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:8) and Antichrist (called the Beast and False Prophet in Revelation 19:20). If so, this would seem to be consistent with (though not required by) biblical prophecy.

Notice also the following from the War Scroll of the Dead Sea Scrolls:

Assyria shall fall with no one to come to his aid (1QM 1:6a)

The above is consistent with Daniel 11:45.

The Bible is certain that this final King of the North will eventually be destroyed by those from the north and east (probably Russia, China, and India):

44 But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him (Daniel 11:44-45).

12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Lord has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, that He will say, "I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks."

13 For he says:

"By the strength of my hand I have done it,
And by my wisdom, for I am prudent;
Also I have removed the boundaries of the people,
And have robbed their treasuries;
So I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man.
14 My hand has found like a nest the riches of the people,
And as one gathers eggs that are left,
I have gathered all the earth;
And there was no one who moved his wing,
Nor opened his mouth with even a peep."

15 Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it?
Or shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it?
As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up,
Or as if a staff could lift up, as if it were not wood!
16 Therefore the Lord, the Lord of hosts,
Will send leanness among his fat ones;
And under his glory
He will kindle a burning
Like the burning of a fire.
17 So the Light of Israel will be for a fire,
And his Holy One for a flame;
It will burn and devour
His thorns and his briers in one day.
18 And it will consume the glory of his forest and of his fruitful field,
Both soul and body;
And they will be as when a sick man wastes away.
19 Then the rest of the trees of his forest
Will be so few in number
That a child may write them. (Isaiah 10:12-19)

It should be pointed out that the above verses help demonstrate why the final King of the North cannot be a Russian power. While Russia and its end time allies are east and north of Europe, there are no powerful nations north of Russia. Thus, there is almost no way that Russia would have a power to the north of it to trouble it. Also, Russia is not the king of Assyria--the King of the North is.

The fact that Europe will be defeated by a further north power is also essentially confirmed in Joel:

6 Before them the people writhe in pain;
All faces are drained of color. (Joel 2:6)

20 "But I will remove far from you the northern army,
And will drive him away into a barren and desolate land,
With his face toward the eastern sea
And his back toward the western sea;
His stench will come up,
And his foul odor will rise,
Because he has done monstrous things." (Joel 2:20)

This is related because the northern, King of the North army of Europe, will be facing forces from the east--these would be forces most likely led by Russia.

Also the Hebrew word translated "writhe in pain" in Joel 2:6 is the same basic word used in Jeremiah 51:29 (another reference to a Russian-led force against the king of the north) and translated as "and sorrow." This also seems to tie all this together. For more information related to Russia, please see the articles Is Russia the King of the North? and The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy.

The Bible clearly is condemning the King of the North for his false religious as well as militaristic practices. And verse 45 is when the final end will come to the remaining Europeans who supported this King.

So thus, the time of lasting peace does not come during the time of the warring King of the North, but right after he comes to his end and Jesus Christ returns (additionally information on the destruction of the King of the North can be found in the articles e Europa, the Beast, and Revelation and Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future).

Notice what actually will happen to the final Beast, also known as the final King of the North:

20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20)

Yet, the one the Bible refers to as the King of the North and final Beast, certain Catholic private prophecies seem to identify as their Great Monarch or even the "great prince of the north." Many Catholics do not seem to understand that the Bible condemns him.

The King of the North is also referred to as the King of Babylon in the Old Testament:

3 And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy travail, and from thy trouble, and from the hard service wherein thou wast made to serve, 4 that thou shalt take up this parable against the king of Babylon, and say:

How hath the oppressor ceased! The exactress of gold ceased! 5 The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, The sceptre of the rulers, 6 That smote the peoples in wrath With an incessant stroke, That ruled the nations in anger, With a persecution that none restrained. 7 The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet; They break forth into singing. 8 Yea, the cypresses rejoice at thee, And the cedars of Lebanon: ‘Since thou art laid down, No feller is come up against us.’

9 The nether-world from beneath is moved for thee To meet thee at thy coming; The shades are stirred up for thee, Even all the chief ones of the earth; All the kings of the nations Are raised up from their thrones. 10 All they do answer And say unto thee: ‘Art thou also become weak as we? Art thou become like unto us? 11 Thy pomp is brought down to the nether-world, And the noise of thy psalteries; The maggot is spread under thee, And the worms cover thee.’ (Isaiah 14:3-11, JPS)

We know that this is an end time prophecy because the rest referred to is the millennial rest which has not happened yet, plus the maggot and worm aspect would be associated with the Gehenna fire (cf. Mark 9:43-48, Berean Literal Translation).

Here is one comment about the fate of that Babylonian system from Revelation:

21 "Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. 22 The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. 23 The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth" (Revelation 18:21-24).

Just because the whole world will be temporarily deceived by the rising European "King of the North" Beast power, you do not have to be. Hopefully this article has given you some reasons to look at the world and your life and will motivate to come to God now on His terms. To learn more about what happened to Christianity, a good place to start may be The History of Early Christianity page.

May God call you today and grant you the understanding so that you will "pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).

Jeremiah was inspired to write that God will punish end-time Babylon, who is led by the European King of the North, for He will remember Babylon did to Israel (which includes the USA and many of its major English-speaking allies) and Judah, even though God did raise Babylon to punish them:

1 Thus says the LORD:

"Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, Against those who dwell in Leb Kamai, A destroying wind. 2 And I will send winnowers to Babylon, Who shall winnow her and empty her land. For in the day of doom they shall be against her all around. 3 Against her let the archer bend his bow, And lift himself up against her in his armor. Do not spare her young men; Utterly destroy all her army. 4 Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans, And those thrust through in her streets. 5 For Israel is not forsaken, nor Judah, By his God, the LORD of hosts, Though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel."

6 Flee from the midst of Babylon, And every one save his life! Do not be cut off in her iniquity, For this is the time of the LORD's vengeance; He shall recompense her...

49 As Babylon has caused the slain of Israel to fall, So at Babylon the slain of all the earth shall fall (Jeremiah 51:1-6, 49).

And it needs to be understood that Roman Catholics realize that the expression, " Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!" (Revelation 18:2) is referring to Rome:

Priest W. Kurz (21st century) Revelation 18 announces and exults the fall of Babylon-Rome under God's judgment...The ultimate and primary reason for God's judgment follows: "And in her was found the blood of the prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth" (Revelation 18:24). The Lamb Reigns Revelation 19 begins with rejoicing in heaven over the judgment and punishment of Babylon-Rome (Kurz, p. 166).

Lest I give the wrong impression, I want to make something clear--there are also other Catholic writings that warn against a future leader that will change their religion. And they seem to be warning against this individual:

St. Hildegard (d. 1179): When the great ruler exterminates the Turks almost entirely...then when the other cardinals elect the next pope this cardinal will proclaim himself Anti-Pope, and two thirds of the Christians will go with him. He, also well as Antichrist, are descendants of Dan (Culleton, Reign of Antichrist, p. 128).

Oba Prophecy: It will come when the Church authorities issue directives to support a new cult, when priests are forbidden to celebrate in any other, when the highest positions in the Church are given to perjurers and hypocrites, when only the renegades are admitted to occupy those positions (Dupont, p. 115).

Anna-Katarina Emmerick (19th century): I saw again a new and odd-looking Church which they were trying to build. There was nothing holy about it...(Dupont, p. 116).

Yves Dupont {Catholic writer interpreting A. Emmerick}: "They wanted to make a new Church, a Church of human manufacture, but God had other designs... An anti-pope shall be set up in Rome" (Dupont, p. 116).

Priest Herman Kramer (20th century): Antichrist will have a forerunner or prophet, who will prepare the way for him...This false prophet possibly at the behest of Antichrist usurps the papal supremacy…His assumed spiritual authority and supremacy over the Church would make him resemble the Bishop of Rome…He would be Pontifex Maximus, a title of pagan emperors, having spiritual and temporal authority. Assuming authority without having it makes him the False Prophet...Though he poses as a lamb, his doctrines betray him...His principles and dogmas to be accepted...it will comprise emperor-worship...with the persecution of true believers (Kramer H.B. L. The Book of Destiny, pp. 318,319).

Priest Paul Kramer (21st century): The errors of Orthodoxy and of Protestantism will be embraced by that false church, it will be an ecumenical church (Kramer P. The Imminent Chastisement for Not Fulfilling Our Lady’s Request. An edited transcript of a speech given at the Ambassadors of Jesus and Mary Seminar in Glendale, California, September 24, 2004.THE FATIMA CRUSADER Issue 80, Summer 2005, pp. 32-45).

Cyril the Hermit (14th century): A German ruler will persecute priests and monks and do much harm to the Church. (Culleton, The Prophets and Our Times, p. 155)

Annotations in Rheims New Testament ... Antichrist, if he ever were of or in the Church, shall be an Apostate and a renegade out of the Church, and he shall usurp upon it by tyranny, and by challenging worship, religion, and government thereof, so that himself shall be adored in all the Churches of the world which he list to leave standing for his honor. And this is to sit in the temple or *against the Temple of God, as some interpret. (Annotations on The Second Epistle of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians. The Original and True RHEIMS NEW TESTAMENT of Anno Domini 1582 , p. 423).

Sadly despite the above, the major view within Catholicism seems to be that the Great Monarch is a good leader (and not the King of the North), yet even the pontiff known as Gregory the Great seems to have warned against a new order arising and calling itself part of his religion:

St. Gregory the Great, Pope (d. 604): In those days, near the end, hardly a Bishop, but an army of priest and two-thirds of the Christians will join the Schism (Culleton, R. Gerald. The Reign of Antichrist, p. 122).

Like Hildegard, Pope Gregory I is thus apparently warning that 2/3s of Catholics will fall for the change in their religion (and it may be a much higher percentage than that). Catholics need to understand that a change to their religion--a change to make it more ecumenical and pleasing to the world--has been repeatedly warned against and they should not accept that change. All (Catholics and otherwise) need to reject the changes that have been foisted off under the name of Christianity and truly practice the religion of Jesus Christ and the apostles. (See also Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? and The History of Early Christianity).

Why Do Many Roman Catholics Not Understand This?

As one baptized as an infant into the Roman Catholic faith, I have long wondered why many Catholics do not understand various aspects of biblical prophecy (Protestants have their own problems, and many of them, which I will not address at this time--though some information on them is included in the article Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected?).

In the case of Daniel 11 and the King of the North, although several Catholic writers believe it has future application, various modern Catholic scholars either profess ignorance or simply ignore the fact that the latter part of the vision is clearly for the appointed time of the end.

In addition, some apparently do not believe that Daniel himself wrote these prophecies and even believe that it was all fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes IV prior to Christ's birth). Notice:

The First six chapters of the Book of Daniel contain older stories about a wise man, Daniel, from an earlier era. The stories are set during the Babylonian exile in the sixth century B.C. (see Ezekiel 14:14; 28:3), whereas Daniel 7 through 12 present visions received during the later Hellenistic period of writing (second century B.C.). As most apocalypses did, the visions in Daniel are presented as if namely, the hero of Daniel 1-6. This follows the Jewish practice of writing under the names of ancient authors. Internal historical references in the visions prompt scholars to ascribe their visions quite narrowly to a Jewish seer suffering under the persecution of the later Greek emperor, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, in 167-164 B.C., the same persecution that 1 and 2 Maccabees describe. (Kurz W. What Does the Bible Say About the End Times? A Catholic View. Servant Books, Cincinnati. Nihil Obstat: Kistner H., Schehr T.P. Imprimi Potest: Link F., Paul J.M. Imprimatur: Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxillary Bishop, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 19, 2004. Servant Books, Cincinnati, 2004, p. 68).

Notice however what Jesus taught that Daniel 11/12 is NOT completely fulfilled and does have a future fulfillment:

15 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened..." (Matthew 24:15-22).

In addition, the Book of Daniel itself clearly states that it is intended to be understood at the end--which of course means that many of its prophecies are for a time after Jesus' first coming:

9 "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand..." (Daniel 12:9-10)

Since the Bible shows that the end portion of Daniel 11 is for the end time (as well as pretty much all of Daniel 12), those who rely on faulty explanations like the one ascribing Daniel to Antiochus Epiphanes IV alone, simply will not understand biblical prophecies--you do not have to be among those who are deceived!

Various Catholic "prophets" have displayed various signs and wonders that have also called Catholics to presume that the signs were proof that they were from God. But the Bible warns against them (Revelation 13:14-18, 18:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Matthew 24:24; Isaiah 47:1-15)--see also Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies?

Another issue that Roman Catholics need to deal with is that many of their "private prophecies" seem to warn that the returning Jesus Christ is the Antichrist. Details for this are documented in the article Do Certain Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus? Any "prophets" who are warning against following Jesus should not be considered to be faithful.

Conclusion

The Bible warns of a coming King of the North who will cause destruction and conquer peoples in the West, Middle East, and elsewhere. Certain private Greco-Roman "Catholic" prophecies seem to look forward to this individual--but some rightly warn against him. The King of the North is not one that true Christians should follow. Even the Catholic Jerome knew this. And Bible prophecy shows that he will be destroyed.

Both biblical and Greco-Roman "Catholic" prophecies indicate that there will be a future King of the North and that he will be the head of a powerful European Empire. An empire that even now is forming. One that the Bible warns that true Christians should not be part of or support. Are you going to wait until after the USA and Anglo-Allies are destroyed, or after the Middle Eastern power are destroyed, or will you end up supporting the prophesied King of the North until he is destroyed? The choice is yours.

The King of the North of Daniel 11 is also called the man of sin in 2 Thessalonians 2 (watch also a related sermon video titled: The Man of Sin will deceive most ‘Christians’.)

This time of the final King of the North is soon approaching (for some information showing from the Bible approximately when, please see the article Could God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?).

Will you support the King of the North or the true Church of God?

(In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte?)

Here are links to two related videos: The King of the North is Alive: What to Look Out For and The Future King of the North.

Back to home page Back to History of Early Christianity page

Items of possibly related interest may include:

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Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? What about other peoples? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon; When Will the End of the Age Come?; Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
CCOG.EU This is a website targeted toward Europe. It has materials in more than one language (currently it has English, Dutch, and Serbian, with links also to Spanish) and it is intended to have additional language materials added.
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst Christianity to the word of God.