Daniel 12:1 ... a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time:
Chapter Eleven of the Book of Daniel is important because it leads up to the first verse of Daniel Chapter Twelve that is shown above.
Daniel is one of the most important books of prophecy in the Bible, because it is here that we find the beginning of the most clear proof about the coming of Jesus Christ and His Mission. Those studies are of such importance they deserve a book of their own (you may request Bruce's Newton book if you wish).
Some have wondered if there is mention of the United States in the Bible in reference to the "End Times" prophecies. When the Biblical prophecies were revealed, there was no United States, there was no awareness of another continent among the common people. There was no concept of the kinds of technologies that we have today, so how could the prophetic writers have described the United States in the "End Time" Prophecies?
On the other hand without mentioning, describing the United States, the most extended and powerful Imperial Power the world has ever known, what some today call the Great Satan, with hundreds of military bases throughout the world, the most powerful military the world has ever seen, having control of the world's financial assets through the world reserve currency, the inventor and sole user in time of war (before the Last Great Battle of Armageddon) of the most destructive weapon ever devised (The Abomination of Desolation), having technologies for the speed of travel and rapidity of communication over distances that were incomprehensible to past ages, how could one pretend to describe the events of the "End Times" without making mention of that nation and the role it was to play,
As Daniel says, the purpose of chapter eleven is to make clear and give understanding. This one chapter covers a century, or perhaps a bit longer, that was intense in historical happenings, two world wars plus significant other wars such as Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, plus many lesser ones, plus the greatest technological revolution the world has ever seen; the beginning of powered flight, world-wide communication, the first satellites, nuclear power, and a plethora of the most powerful and destructive weapons; all accompanied by intense geopolitical conflict and more radical changes in social institutions and mores than in all of the previous centuries combined.
It is an understatement to say that all that is a lot to put into a mere 45 sentences or verses, and yet that is what Daniel does, putting it all into the context of the defining struggle between two world powers, The King of the North (Russia) and The King of the South (America). There were many fluxuations during this period. Sometimes friendly, at one point the King of the South (America) buying its northern most state (Alaska) from the King of the North; at other times combative, as when the US invaded Russia but lost the war (something not mentioned for many decades in American history books); sometimes competitive between the opposing champions of the two incompatible economic systems of communism and capitalism; sometimes cooperative as allies against Germany and Japan, their common enemies in World War II.
Indeed a lot to cover in a mere 45 sentences, when one pauses to consider the thousands of thick tomes of academia that have been written about the same events and time period. Moreover, a greater challenge still to have to describe it, thousands of years before it occurs, when the actual geographical locations were unknown to the readers of that day. To describe present day technology to readers in that distant past was of course impossible, but there are astonishing references throughout the "end time" prophecies that present readers feel are glimpses of what we have today.
It may seem that in the chapter, the century is not laid out consecutively in order from beginning to end. It is, but a cursory scan of it will not reveal that because it is divided into sections, some having overview introductions and others summary conclusions, so there seems to be some repetition. Lots is packed into forty-five sentences, so one must be ready to plunge in-depth their allusions, in order to comprehend what are summary statements of many momentous events.
Given the fluctuations between the King of the South and the King of the North, sometimes cooperative, most times contending, always significant to the destiny of the "Last Days", one must have some tolerance as to which specific event, or events, a particular verse may apply as the total chapter makes its headlong thrust toward the final conflict between The King of the North and the The King of the South, that culminates in the summary first verse of the following chapter, which is Daniel 12:1 as shown above.
[1] Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.
V.1 This is the introduction to this prophecy in the Book of Daniel, which was revealed many centuries before Christ. It requires one to be a total unbeliever, to not be astounded by how the revelation exactly describes this last century in which we are living.
[2] And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.
V.2 Yes, Daniel will show us, in just 45 sentences, the truth about this century.
There are many historical matters and an immensity of detail with which we could deal, but we shall pass over them because of the scope of what we must cover, however most are aware today that Persia (what we today call Iran) is playing a prominent role in the Last Days.
[3] And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.
V.3 And we are aware that a mighty king, did stand up and did according to his will in spreading his dominion over the whole earth, Britain being the first ever to do so, so that it was said that the sun never set on the British Empire.
[4] And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.
V.4 And we know that this greatest most wide spread kingdom that the world had ever seen, was divided like the four corners of the earth, from Canada to Australia, from Hong Kong in Asia, to the United States in the Americas, and of course India.
[5] And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.
V.5 The king of the south is The United States of America, as shall be seen to be identifiable in many other scriptures. The United States is certainly a prince/off-spring of Britain and became stronger than Britain, and came to have great dominion over the world - becoming the greatest Imperial Power the world has ever seen.
[6] And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.
V.6 In the 'end of years', the very time that we are in today, the US and UK have united in their policies to establish the BIS (Bank of International Settlements) and other financial institutions through which they have ruled the world. The great daughter of the south - the European Union - shall try to make an agreement with the king of the north - that is to say Russia (as is demonstrated many times in other scriptures discussed in other sections of this series.)
However, the power of her arm (NATO) shall fail, and they that brought her, the (EU), and he that begat her (the UK), and he that strengthened her (the US), the latter most certainly being the source of NATO's military strength, will falter in the situation as will Russia.
[7] But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail:
V.7 Many are surprised, when they study it out, to find the roots of the British Monarchy, (which changed its name to Windsor, so as not to be associated with Germany) are German! The branch (Germany) of these roots did indeed prevail against Russia for a time, extending itself throughout much of the middle east, even invading Egypt, and destroying the remnants of the Chaldean and Russian empires.
The struggle between Russia and Germany spanned much of the century including two world wars and what is called the Cold War.
[8] And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.
V.8 Germany, the European Union, the UK all prevailed for many years over the King of the North (Russia) and when we witnessed the collapse of the USSR, it appeared to be the end of Russia as a world power, or so at least thought the King of the South.
The references to gods, precious vessels and such are of course not to be taken literally but refer to their philosophy, material wealth, financial influence and such.
[9] So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.
V.9 The King of the South (America), did enter the kingdom of the King of the North (Russia). Most Americans do not know that the US invaded Russia in 1919 and was defeated, but anyone interested can look it up. So after America unsuccessfully invaded Russia it returned to its own land for what is called a period of isolationism.
[10] But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress.
V.10 Russia, the base of the Marxist/Lenin Communist Revolution spread its teachings through the Comintern and one recipient, China, the most populous nation on earth, assembled a multitude of great forces. This concerned even Russia, the King of the North, and for a long period it withdrew its assistance to China.
[11] And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.
V.11 America (The King of the South) was very upset (moved with choler) by what it saw as the 'communist threat' - so it came forth to fight against China and also with Russia (the King of the North) by fighting against the great multitude of their protegees in places like Korea and Vietnam to prevent what it called the domino effect.
[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.
V.12 Because of vastly superior technology and the immensity of it with which the King of the South (America) had hit its enemies - a crushing blow killing tens of thousands, is an understatement.
And yet, although The King of the South and his people, the Americans, were proud of how well their soldiers had fought, still their position in the world regarding China and Russia was not strengthened.
[13] For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.
V.13 Because Russia (the King of the North) and once again its Ally China, continued to grow stronger, with more and better technology, so that it is evident that they shall certainly come again after certain years with an even greater military force.
[14] And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.
V.14 Then in those times (at the time of the Last Great Battle of Armageddon) there are many that shall stand up against America (the King of the South) for America has created many enemies throughout the world. In South America, in Vietnam, North Korea, and elsewhere in S.E. Asia. Also in Muslim countries in Africa, and throughout the Middle East. In Afghanistan and Pakistan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and many more.
Moreover, the robbers of the people, those giant financial institutions and corporations whose profits have grown immensely, and who have profited from the war industry will try to establish all sorts of laws, treaties, agreements, organizations, secret power groups and such to exalt themselves in their vision of a New World Order - but they will fail.
[15] So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand.
V.15 But the King of the North (Russia) shall supply the enemies of the King of the South (America) with weapons, and throughout the world America will suffer defeat after defeat in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Libya, Iraq; even in South America and Mexico. American weapons/arms have been proven to not be what is needed to withstand the disruptive social organizations, or to assist those it has chosen to support.
Examples of the disruptive social forces are the gangs in Mexico and South America, the Islamic State in Iraq and Africa, the Muslim Brotherhood, and even Nazi groups in the Ukraine, and many others in other places.
[16] But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.
V.16 Those that come against the King of the South, such as Iraq, Iran, Iran, Libya, and many others shall do according to their own will, but none will be able to stand before America's destructive power, so the King of the South (America) stands in the glorious land (the Middle East as a whole and some countries particularly) and consumes them.
[17] He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him.
V.17 So the whole strength of the King of the South (America) and upright ones from the country (those who were obedient to the military codes, and humanitarian organizations) tried to bring Western standards, such as women's rights and tolerance for other religions, but they were not accepted.
[18] After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him.
V.18 And the King of the South (America) spread itself even unto the isles of the sea, having hundreds of military bases throughout the world, and America's influence was felt world-wide, even in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
The US reproached Singapore for not allowing American financial institutions to rule, and for not accepting American social standards, but Singapore did not respond to the reproach and became the model for China, which then led to America's economic confrontation with China.
[19] Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
V.19 The King of the South (America) once again thought to strengthen its own interests, but now with all the enemies that it had acquired it was isolated from the world, so that its world control financial system began to fail.
[20] Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.
V.20 America taxed its people more and more to support the world's largest military, larger than the next ten competitors behind it, combined; and to support its outposts and policies in other parts of the world.
The standard of living for its poor and middle class got worse and worse while its wealthy became wealthier and wealthier, until the debt and interest began to rise exponentially which is something that can happen only for 'a few days' in the overall scheme of things.
[21] And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
V.21 Daniel is saying that at this time there shall be in the Kingdom of the South, an unpopular leader, and in fact the next most hated leader of American history up until this time was Abraham Lincoln, and there may be considerable similarities.
Anyway, the leader that takes control at this time will promise Change for good, and shall have obtained his position peacefully with many supporting him.
[22] And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.
V.22 A flood of arms shall be used by King of the South (America) against its own people. Its internal forces, police forces and other agencies will use military arms against the people themselves, and their resistance shall be broken, but also the constitution, law, covenant under which the prince (the leader of the people) had operated. Yes, also eventually the Prince himself.
[23] And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.
V.23 The prince, the leader of the people, will then league deceitfully with a very small group of rich and powerful people to take control of America outside the rules of its covenant (constitution).
[24] He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.
V.24 For generations there were protected in America, great national forests and national parks that were held sacrosanct, but at the end the prince and his cohorts, the powerful political leaders, gave mining rights, and forestry rights, and drilling rights to the favored few who were generally represented by giant corporations, and who had supported their coming to power.
[25] And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.
V.25 This is a time of turmoil as can presently hardly be imagined, where the prince and the political cohorts of the few who are mighty and wealthy try to take over the country from The King of the South (the government of The United States). It is difficult to understand some of things that are currently happening, but it is evident that many devices and plots are presently being made against the prince, and it may well be that "he shall not stand".
[26] Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.
V.26 Those that cannibalize America, have engineered its jobs to go overseas, have used its armies to protect their special interests, have used the government as a revolving door to benefit themselves in government and the private sector, have used the government to pass laws to benefit themselves, and who in many other ways have consumed the righteousness and wealth of America, will in the end have caused such social disorder, stress, and unrest that there will be great social conflict with blood flowing in the streets and many people being slain.
The conflict, disorder, destruction and rioting will particularly affect the black community who at that stage will sustain a large percentage of those slain.
[27] And both of these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.
V.27 With all the difficulties going on internally, in both of their countries, the King of the North (Russia) and the King of the South (The United States) will still sit down at one table and tell each other lies.
However, while this will accomplish nothing for either one of them, this conflict will go on between them until appointed time of the end.
[28] Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.
V.28 This refers to the King of the North (Russia), in that after the disasterous loss discussed previously, caused by the breakup of the USSR, still its economy was restored, and it was able to build up its mighty army, and it achieved might exploits such as in the International Space Station, which only Russia remained capable of flying astronauts to.
But Russia's heart is against the holy covenant, something of which most are unaware, so it would take more to explain than can be undertaken in this space. This latter is a major theme in the Book of Revelation.
[29] At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.
V.29 So, at the appointed time, the King of the North (Russia) will come against the King of the South (America) and it shall be like no other time. Rather it shall be a unique time as explained in the summary verse, which is Daniel 12:1, the verse that immediately follows after this chapter.
[30]
V.30 So forces shall arise against Russia, and it shall feel indignant about the Holy Covenant, and cooperate with those that feel likewise.
There are many aspects to the Holy Covenant. This being from the Jewish Old Testament, it of course concerns Israel. There are four things about the covenant with Israel.
[31] And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.
V.31 Yes, Russian arms, and arms made by those they support, have very much affected Israel (the sanctuary of strength in the Holy Land and in the Middle East) and they have supported those that prevent Jerusalem from achieving its role. Most specifically they will use the Abomination of Desolation (nuclear weapons).
[32] And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
V.32 There is no need to describe this and the next three verses following, because there are such differences of biases as to who it is that corrupts the covenant, and who it is that know their God. Islamists will have one strong opinion, and certainly many fundamentalist groups another, as well as Jewish sects and others.
[33] And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.
V.33 Again, various groups will identify with this, that they are spreading the True Message, and many of them can point to the persecution of their followers.
Still and all, this is a very important activity in this century and this period of time, because it is what is laying the groundwork, the foundation, for the following centuries.
While millions become aware of the New Message and what is really going on, billions of humanity remain unaware, and so the reality is almost totally hidden to most of humanity.
[34] Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.
V.34 Each of the groups can point that they have had some successes, but on the other hand they also have nominal followers. In some places there is talk of "rice Christians" and certainly among the Muslim conquests, there are many that conform out of fear.
[35] And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
V.35 Those who are sincere seekers, in all religions, are tested in these times of anti-religion and dogmatic religion. This whole time period is one of spiritual testing before the Great Climax which we are coming to, "the time of the end", which is "for the time appointed".
[36] And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
V.36 This and the next three verses continue to be about The King of the North. To be totally fair, much of what is said about him, can also be equally said about the King of the South.
And we do see anti-religion growing by leaps and bounds in both lands, and in the lands of their associates. Over the decades of this century the number of churches per capita, in Russia, China, Europe and the US has greatly decreased. The number of people proclaiming themselves to be atheists, agnostics, non-believers in God, or sole believers instead in science in one fashion or another, is phenomenal.
Indeed the societies of both the King of the North and the King of the South prospered greatly from the beginning of the century until the end. One only has to look at photos of the city streets of either at the two extreme time periods. One filled with horses, the other with automobiles; one dark at night and the other lit by electricity. Many could be the examples of how prosperous they became - until "the time of the end" when the "indignation" of the weapons of mass destruction have "accomplished for that that is determined shall be done."
[37] Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
V.37 This has truly been a distinguishing feature of this century and an amazing insight so many thousands of years ago, as to what this century would be like. Adherence to the old customs has withered away and there has certainly been a sexual revolution both in licence and attitudes.
[38] But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
V.38 The wealth of the world, throughout the century, but particularly by the King of the North, and the King of South, was spent on military forces and preparation for warfare.
These two countries were at the forefront of technological development; the development of aircraft; nuclear power; electronics; the stepping into space. They spent a great proportion of their wealth on the development of science, "a god which their fathers knew not." There were also many pleasant things they developed by the science, which they then further turned to the purposes of warfare.
[39] Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain
V.39 And so with their technological superiority, the King of the North and the King of the South and their cohorts, were able to exalt themselves over most of the world's strongholds.
They greatly increased the glory of science and most of the world stood in awe. They were able to divide the world into a BIPOLAR world, one side reflected by the western BIS (Bank of International Settlements), the other by the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa).
[40] And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
V.40 But the King of the South (America) wanted a UNIPOLAR world and pushed at the King of the North (Russia) with economic sanctions, trying to cut it off from having influence in the world.
This so angers the King of the North (Russia) that he shall come against the King of the South (America) "like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over."
[41] He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
V.41 The previous reference to the King of the North (Russia) was parenthetical, and we are still talking about the King of the South (the United States), which has involved itself in the glorious land, the middle east, and the Holy Land, where it has overthrown (caused destruction or change of regime) in many countries - Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, even Egypt and the list goes on and on, but Israel has escaped.
[42] He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
V.42 One had to be here to understand all this. People have read and speculated for many centuries about all this that was written thousands of years ago, but now we can understand it.
[43] But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
V.43 The whole of the struggle in the Middle East was over what the Americans called "American Interests" and it extended on down into Ethiopia and Africa and even to the Far East.
[44] But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
V.44 But, tidings out of the east (China), and its alliance with the north (Russia) did trouble the King of the South (the United States), and so "therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many."
[45] And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
V.45 The King of the South did certainly plant its tabernacles, the largest Embassy complexes any nation has ever built, around the world and particularly in Iraq, yet none are coming to his assistance.
While one could dwell in detail on each of the verses - the whole of this chaper of Daniel is with one thrust, which is summarized in the first verse of the next chapter of Daniel.