Jeff Pippenger Time of the end
FUTURE FOR AMERICA
THE TIME OF THE END Dan. 11:40—12:1 Jeff Pippenger/Ken Ashley 11:40 And at the time of the end 1798 AD shall the king of the south Atheistic France (and later, atheistic Communism) push at him: and Pope taken captive, Catholic states annexed the king of the north Papacy, Rome, Babylon shall come against him Communism (new King of the South) in 1989 like a whirlwind, with to take away fearfully, sweep away chariots, and with horsemen military strength and with many ships; economic strength and he shall enter into the countries, that were under Communist control and shall overflow rush through and wash away, take control of and pass over. cross over and overrun without hinderance v.41
He shall enter into the glorious land, United States is spiritually conquered and many … shall be overthrown: accept the National Sunday law but these shall escape slip through his grasp, former Sunday keepers out of his hand, out of his control even Edom, and Moab, and the those who respond to the call, “Out of Babylon!” chief of the children of Ammon the first fruits of the Loud Cry. v.42
He shall stretch out his hand place his control on also upon the countries: independent lands lose their sovereignty and the land of Egypt the rest of the world (the United Nations) shall not escape. there is no deliverance. v.43 But he shall have the power absolute, total control over the treasures of gold and silver, all the precious metals markets and over all the precious things all the commodities markets of Egypt: all the countries of the United Nations and the Libyans all the poor countries and the Ethiopians all the wealthy countries shall be at his steps. shall march with him in battle. v.44 But tidings the message of Christ’s righteousness out of the East the third angel’s
message, and the Loud Cry and out of the North the dwelling place of Christ shall trouble him: make him afraid therefore he shall go forth to deal with his troublers with great fury to destroy, the Death Decree and utterly make away many. the Sabbath keepers (…does not happen.) v.45 And he shall plant pitch, to shield from the Loud Cry the tabernacles of his palace his war tents, and his satanic throne between the seas [and, not “in”]
the people of the earth (not in Sabbath mount) the glorious holy mountain; God’s people, the Sabbath Church, Jerusalem yet he shall come to his end, the final fall of the King of the North and none shall help him. nothing human can aid, but God brings him down. 12:1 And at that time shall Michael Close of Probation, Christ as Commander of hosts stand up, He leaves the Most Holy Place the great prince which standeth as their Intercessor, Mediator, High Priest for the children of thy people:
God’s worldwide Sabbath-keeping Church And there shall be a time of trouble, God’s judgments on the wicked, with no mercy such as never was worst ever in all earthly history since there was a nation God’s work is not tempered, a strange work even to that same time: the final close of all human probation and at that time thy people after the Close of Probation –no more martyrs shall be delivered, Christ is able to save to the uttermost everyone that shall be found all the loyal and righteous, perfected saints written in the book. the Lamb’s Book of Life Christ comes, we are saved, Amen!
The Time of the End A Prophetic study of the Millerite Movement and Daniel 11:40-45 Nothing Nothing New Under the Sun Nothing Nothing New Under the Sun 2 A Trimmed and Burning Lamp, The very best Credentials we can carry is love for one another. All strife, all dissension is to cease. God will not accept the talents of the smartest, the most eloquent man if the inner lamp of the soul is not trimmed and burning.
There must be consecrated heart and consecrated surrender of the soul. (Letter 119. 1899) 3 Table of Contents The Testimony of the two seeds 5 History in Transition 11 The Third Persecuting Power 18 Pioneer Experience Repeated 23 The Southern and Northern Kings 32 The Time of the End 37 The Modern Glorious Land 43 The Great Escape 48 Edom, Moab and Ammon 53 Returning from the Dead 58 Egypt the Dragon Power 62 Tidings of Trouble 67 The Latter Rain 71 None to Help 75 4
This magazine is revised version of Jeff Pippenger’s Time of the End magazine published by Future for America. For more information on this study or for a monthly newsletter you may contact the following brethren below who are affiliated with this work: Future News PO Box 7 Bonnerdale, AR 71933 Telephone: 888-278-7744 Circulation Manager—Kathryn Pippenger kathrynpippenger@hotmail.com Author & Speaker—Jeff Pippenger jeffpippenger@msn.com
Editor—Bronwyn Peck calica4@hotmail.com Futuro de America—Spanish Al & Lupe Perez PO Box 353 Glenwood, AR 71943 Telephone: 870-356-7049 aperez77@alltel.net Future News—Canada Phyllis Vallieres RR 3, 2552 Cooper Road Madoc, Ontario, K0K 2K0, Canada Telephone: 613-473-5332 FAX 613-473-5630 pvallieres@gmail.com Future is Now—Germany & Portugal Marco Barrios & Wolfgang Blaesing Brahmsweg 15 D 20144 Hamburg, Germany Telephone Germany: 49-40-226-905-90 Telephone Portugal: 351-236-551166 wb@future-is-now.net url: www.future-is-now.net MISSION STATEMENT
The ministry of Future for America is to proclaim the final warning message of Revelation 14 as identified within the prophecies of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. The end-time fulfillment of Bible prophecy is no longer future—for it is taking place before our eyes. The historic, prophetic understanding of Seventh-day Adventism is now present truth. We are the final generation. Our emphasis on the prophetic word includes all the counsel of God’s Word. To know what lies ahead is useless if we do not possess the experience to stand during these solemn times.
Through obedience to God’s law, and faith in the promises of God’s Word, we are to receive that experience. Coupled with the prophetic message, Future for America emphasizes all aspects of the medical missionary work. The “entering wedge”—medical missionary work—must be practiced by those who are to finish God’s work in these final hours. During this time period, country living becomes more essential with each passing moment. Future for America upholds and promotes this end-time truth. God’s people must prepare for the coming storm, and that preparation includes the experience of learning how to survive in a simple fashion, away from the great centers of population.
www.AdventTimes.Com www.Future-News.Org 5 The Testimony of the Two Seeds The Testimony of the Two Seeds The message proclaimed by the angel flying in the midst of heaven is the message of the everlasting gospel. It is the same gospel that was declared in Eden when God said to the serpent “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15. It is this gospel that has kept the world divided into two classes throughout the whole of earth’s history, the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman.
The first two representatives are found in the first two children born into the world; Cain and Abel. Cain thought himself righteous and felt no need for the saviour but Abel came with the blood that pointed to the Lamb of God. He came as a sinner, confessing himself lost; his only hope was the unmerited love of God. It is this testimony of the two seeds that has been carried down throughout the ages.
Christ illustrates this theme through many of His parables spoken; the Publican and the Pharisee, the two sons, Lazarus and the rich man, the wise and the foolish virgins, the sheep and the goat, the wheat and the tares and so at the time of the end will the world be divided into two classes: “In the issue of the contest, all Christendom will be divided into two great classes,–those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark.” {Great Controversy 1888. 450.1}
Undeniably it is the Word of God that causes the separation. The purity and holiness of Christ, the spotless righteousness of Him who did no sin, was a perpetual reproach upon all sin in a world of sensuality and sin. But this enmity referred to in the prophecy in Eden was not to be confined merely to Satan and the Prince of life. It was to be universal. Christ declares “As they persecuted me so they will persecute you.” In the closing scenes of His ministry on earth He claims “think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace but a sword” By these words he did not mean that his coming was to produce discord and contention among his followers.
He desired to show the effect that his teaching would have on different minds. One portion of the human family would receive him; the other portion would take sides with Satan, and would oppose Christ and his followers. The Prince of Peace, he was yet the cause of division. He who came to proclaim glad tidings and to create hope and joy in the hearts of the children of men, opened a controversy that burns deep and arouses intense passion in the human heart.
And he warns his followers, “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” “They shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. . . . Ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.” John 16:33;
Luke 21:12, 16. A Special Truth It takes a special truth for each generation which calls for self sacrifice and has battles to fight that distinguishes the true believers from the false. It is this special truth that separates the two classes into the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman. The special truth for Christ day came from a portion of the book of Daniel which was the seventy week prophecy found in Daniel 9.24- 27.
If the Jews had understood this prophecy in its complete form, they would have understood that Christ was the messiah who was to make an end of sins, bring in everlasting righteousness, seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy. But they rejected Him and were left in the outer court to continue with their useless sacrifices whilst Christ’s ministry had now moved to the Holy Place.
It was the same scenario for those who lived in the time period of the great disap- “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth and to every nation, kindred and tongue, and people saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come…” Revelation 14:6-7 6 pointment in 1844. If they also had understood the 2300 day prophecy located in Daniel 8:14, this was the ‘marah’ (little view) that Daniel didn’t understand but was further explained in Daniel 9:24-27, [
The Seventy week prophecy being ‘cut of’ from the 2300 days] they would have understood that Christ was moving to the Most Holy apartment to begin the work of judgement but many rejected theses messages and once again crucified Christ in the form of His Word. Ellen White writes: All heaven watched with the deepest interest the reception of the first angel’s message. But many who professed to love Jesus, and who shed tears as they read the story of the cross, derided the good news of His coming. Instead of receiving the message with gladness, they declared it to be a delusion. They hated those who loved His appearing and shut them out of the churches.
Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second; neither were they benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. And by rejecting the two former messages, they have so darkened their understanding that they can see no light in the third angel’s message, which shows the way into the most holy place.
I saw that as the Jews crucified Jesus, so the nominal churches had crucified these messages, and therefore they have no knowledge of the way into the most holy, and they cannot be benefited by the intercession of Jesus there. Like the Jews, who offered their useless sacrifices, they offer up their useless prayers to the apartment which Jesus has left; and Satan, pleased with the deception, assumes a religious character, and leads the minds of these professed Christians to himself, working with his power, his signs and lying wonders, to fasten them in his snare. {Early Writings p261.1}
These two histories will be repeated for the final generation who are now living in the last moments of this earth’s history. The special truth which we need to understand is also a portion from the book of Daniel and it is the final 6 verses contained in Daniel 11. The vision of Daniel 11 is an expansion of the vision given to Daniel in chapter 9.
At the time of Gabriel’s visit, the prophet Daniel was unable to receive further instruction; but a few years afterward, desiring to know more of subjects not yet fully explained, he again set himself to seek light and wisdom from God. “In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all. . . .
Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz. His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.” Daniel 10: 2-6. The understanding of the vision was then recorded in Daniel 11. The pioneers understood the fulfilment of Daniel 11 up to the first phase of Daniel 11:40.
The remaining six verses were left unsolved until our time and it’s now our generation that has the responsibility of recognising the fulfilment of these verses in order to prepare us for the Lord’s final coming. It is these last six verses that will cause the separation of the two classes in Adventism. Daniel 11:40-45 is greatly enlarged upon in Revelation, chapters 13-18 and we will endeavour to show that these last 6 verses contain a sequence of events leading down to the close of human probation.
It is these verses that are designed by God to be a catalyst to bring the final promised revival for God’s people. The light that Daniel received from God was given especially for these last days. The visions he saw by the banks of the Ulai and the Hiddekel, the great rivers of Shinar, are now in process of fulfillment, and all the events foretold will soon come to pass. Consider the circumstances of the Jewish nation when the prophecies of Daniel were given. Let us give more time to the study of the Bible.
We do not understand the word as we should. The book of Revelation opens with an injunction to us to understand the instruction that it contains. “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy,” God declares, “and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”
When we as a people understand what this book means to us, there will be seen among us a great revival. We do not understand fully the lessons that it teaches, notwithstanding the injunction given us to search and study it. {Testimonies to Ministers 113.} The Setting The Setting As we begin this study we will determine that the time period we are living in is associated with the final movements of Daniel 11 and this time period has arrived.
A passage that clearly set’s this forth is found in the opening chapter of volume 9 of the testimonies: “We are living in the time of the end. The fastfulfilling signs of the times declare that the coming of Christ is near at hand. The days in which we live are solemn and important. The Spirit of God is gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and judgments are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God. The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous.
They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude. The agencies of evil are combining their forces and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones. The condition of things in the world shows that troublous times are right upon us. The daily papers are full 7 of indications of a terrible conflict in the near future. Bold robberies are of frequent occurrence.
Strikes are common. Thefts and murders are committed on every hand. Men possessed of demons are taking the lives of men, women, and little children. Men have become infatuated with vice, and every species of evil prevails. . . . There are not many, even among educators and statesmen, who comprehend the causes that underlie the present state of society.
Those who hold the reins of government are not able to solve the problem of moral corruption, poverty, pauperism, and increasing crime. They are struggling in vain to place business operations on a more secure basis. If men would give more heed to the teaching of God’s Word, they would find a solution of the problems that perplex them. . . . The world is stirred with the spirit of war.
The prophecy of the eleventh chapter of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place. . . .” Testimonies, vol. 9,11, 13-. Does this passage speak of our day? Notice the setting which is portrayed by Ellen White as she informs us that “the eleventh chapter of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfilment.” This is clearly referring to our day, therefore, Daniel 11 is soon to be completed.
The Spirit Withdrawn It is clear to see within the times that we are living in that the Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the earth through the judgments which are upon the land. Surely the events of September 11, 2001, earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, wars, bombings, murders, famines, and diseases all confirm that the restraining influence of God’s Spirit is being removed from this planet and its inhabitants. As this is happening, we are told the agencies of evil in Bible prophecy that are to combine and consolidate are three-fold. They are economic (can’t buy or sell), religious (you have the mark of the beast), and military (the threat of death). We see the religious world through the ecumenical movement. Protestants no longer protest Rome – they follow Rome.
Economically we see big businesses merging into giant corporations. The nations of Europe merging into one country and signing of treaties such as GATT and NAFTA, in order to create economic alliances for a one-world marketplace; while the militaries of the world are consolidating under Nato and the UN. We see mankind’s problems identified in the Press of the world as “global” problems while the united nations ascends as the next power of Bible Prophecy, destined to be propped by the power of the united states.
Certainly the crime of our day fulfils Sister White’s prediction, and the statement that the leaders of this nation “are struggling in vain to place business operations on a more secure basis” aptly describes the present crisis in our nation’s capital. It also sends us a warning that what we must do as a people must be done before our money becomes useless. With this warning though, comes the comfort that God is in control. A clear description is given by Ellen White informing us that the economic predicament which is confronting the leaders of this nation did not take God by surprise.
It is also a certainty that the “spirit of war” can readily be seen at this time. A Two-Fold Story Fold Story “It is impossible to give any idea of the experience of the people of God who shall be alive on the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended.” {Last Day Events 266.3}. Two realities are ahead for God’s people; the story of the glory which attends those who demonstrate and defend the truth in this final hour of earth’s history, and the persecution
The archbishop of Canterbury visits Pope John Paul II in 2003 The Times of London reported February 19 2007: “Radical proposals to reunite Anglicans with the Roman Catholic Church under the leadership of the pope are to be published this year, the Times has learned. The proposals have been agreed by senior bishops of both churches. In a 42-page statement prepared by an international commission of both churches, Anglicans and Roman Catholics are urged to explore how they might reunite under the pope.”
The document, titled “Growing Together in Unity and Mission,” is currently being considered by the Vatican and has not yet been made official. A key paragraph in the draft reads: “We urge Anglicans and Roman Catholics to explore together how the ministry of the bishop of Rome might be offered and received in order to assist our Communions to grow toward full, ecclesial communion.” From theTrumpet.com 8 delivered to God’s people by the apostate forces that originate from the seed of the serpent who oppose the truth at the end of the world. Ellen White identifies this two-fold message in another place, while once again pointing us to the eleventh chapter of Daniel:
“The light that Daniel received from God was given especially for these last days. The visions he saw by the banks of the Ulai and the Hiddekel, the great rivers of Shinar, are now in process of fulfillment, and all the events foretold will soon come to pass.” Testimonies to Ministers, 112-113. The vision on the banks of the Ulai is the vision of Daniel eight, and the only part of the vision by the Ulai which had not been fulfilled when Sister White made this statement was Daniel 8:14, though it began its fulfillment in 1844, it was, and still is, “in process of fulfillment.” When the Ulai flows into the sea, it ceases to exist.
Likewise, when Christ finishes His work in the Most Holy Place the message of the everlasting gospel has finished its course. The vision which was “now in the process of fulfillment,” that was given to Daniel by the Hiddekel, is the vision of the last six verses of Daniel eleven-the only part of Daniel eleven which was as yet unfulfilled when Sister White wrote those words. When the Hiddekel flows into the sea it ceases to exist, so too when the king of the north comes “to his end,” and “none shall help,” the message of Daniel eleven has reached its conclusion.
Two rivers flowing to two symbolic bodies of water – the Ulai to the sea of glass; Hiddekel to the lake of fire. Two visions representing both the stories of the redeemed and the story of the lost. As these rivers flow into the sea their messages cross the boundary line of human probation-forever separating the righteous and the wicked. “Oh, who will describe to you the lamentations that will arise when at the boundary line which parts time and eternity the righteous Judge will lift up His voice and declare, ‘It is too late.’ Long have the wide gates of heaven stood open and the heavenly messengers have invited and entreated ‘Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.’
Revelation 22: 17. ‘Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart.’ But at length the mandate goes forth, ‘He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.’ Revelation 22: 11.” In Heavenly Places, 362. The two-fold theme found in the story of these two rivers is also illustrated in the three angels’ messages of Revelation fourteen.
Not only do these three messages point mankind to the everlasting gospel in connection with the judgment which is taking place in the Most Holy Place of the sanctuary above, but these messages also identify the enemies power which will oppose this message during this final judgment hour. Sister White informs us that the books of Daniel and Revelation complement each other: “In the Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end. Here is the complement of the book of Daniel.
One is a prophecy; the other a revelation. The book that was sealed is not the Revelation, but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel relating to the last days. The angel commanded, ‘But thou, 0 Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end.’ Daniel 12:4.” Acts of the Apostles, 585. Daniel and Revelation complement one another in many areas, including the messages of the two rivers, which are used to identify the last two-fold message in the book of Daniel. These rivers also find symbolic counterparts in the two rivers of Revelation. There we find the river of life conveying the promise of life to those who accept the everlasting gospel, while we also see the dried up Euphrates illustrating the bankruptcy of the worship of Babylon.
As we partake of the water of life we are to call those who are drinking the foul waters of the Euphrates to flee from the broken cisterns of fallen Babylon. The book of Daniel contains the final message of warning for this last hour of earth’s history. This final message symbolized in the visions on the banks of the Hiddekel and Ulai rivers identify both the false worship of the king of the north and the true worship of the King who is now in the Most Holy Place above.
A Great Revival A Great Revival Sister White puts great emphasis upon the study of Daniel and Revelation in connection with bringing on a revival and we know that our greatest need is for a revival : “When the books of Daniel and Revelation are better un- 9 derstood, believers will have an entirely different religious experience. They will be given such glimpses of the open gates of heaven that heart and mind will be impressed with the character that all must develop in order to realize the blessedness which is to be the reward of the pure in heart. ” The Faith I Live By, 345. “A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs.
To seek this should be our first work.” Review and Herald, March 22, 1887. Understanding that our greatest need is for a genuine revival and that this revival will be connected with an understanding of the books of Daniel and Revelation is very important. It can easily be recognized, that the vision by the Ulai, addressing the work of Christ in the Most Holy Place, certainly has a connection with this long-awaited revival, for no true revival would be separated from Christ’s work above.
When God’s people enter into the Most Holy Place experience they will see that the connection between themselves and God is as “close and decided” as the connection which Christ maintained while He walked among men. There is no way to be closer to the Father than to have His Spirit living within. But acknowledging that the vision by the Ulai has a relationship to the final revival, does not necessarily mean the vision by the Hiddekel does not have an influence upon this revival.
For it speaks not of the truth of the sanctuary, but of the enemy who casts the truth to the ground. Does the message of this river contribute to our experience in such a way as to bring on a revival? Yes. Just as surely as the warning of the third angel against receiving the mark of the beast is part of the everlasting gospel, so too, is the message of the Hiddekel.
It is through an understanding of this message also that God’s people will be prepared to stand. An Increase of Knowledge An Increase of Knowledge “The book that was sealed was not the book of Revelation, but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel which related to the last days.
The Scripture says, ‘But thou, 0 Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.’ Daniel 12:4. When the book was opened, the proclamation was made, ‘Time shall be no longer.’ See Revelation 10:6.
The book of Daniel is now unsealed, and the revelation made by Christ to John is to come to all the inhabitants of the earth. By the increase of knowledge a people is to be prepared to stand in the latter days.” 2 Selected Messages, book , 105. Notice here that there will be an “increase of knowledge,” and that it is through this “increase of knowledge” that “a people is to be prepared to stand.”
What is this “increase of knowledge” that will prepare us to stand? In the same section, two paragraphs down, we find the answer: “In the first angel’s message men are called upon to worship God, our Creator, who made the world and all things that are therein. They have paid homage to an institution of the Papacy, making of no effect the Law of Jehovah, but there is to be an increase of knowledge on this subject.” 2Selected Messages 106.1
The increase of knowledge which will prepare God’s people to stand is a knowledge concerning the counterfeit Sabbath. This knowledge concerns the message about the entire world being forced to worship the idol Sabbath which is the mark of the Papacy. This knowledge is in agreement with the warning of the three angels’ messages not to worship the beast, and this increase of knowledge is in agreement with the message by the Hiddekel river of Daniel 11 :40-45, for the king of the north is the Papacy.
We are told: “The scenes connected with the working of the man of sin are the last features plainly revealed in this earth’s history.” {2Selected Messages 102.1} We know that the last six verses of Daniel eleven span the final scenes of “this earth’s history,” for in the next verse, Daniel 12:1, is recorded the close of probation.
The “last features” of these “scenes” are connected with “the man of sin,” and his efforts to bring the entire world under his control through the enforcement of a Sunday law. The king of the north is the “man of sin.” “I was then pointed to the flattering things taught by some of these transgressors of God’s Law. I was shown a bright light, given by God to guide all who would walk in the way of salvation, and also to serve as a warning to the sinner to flee from the wrath of God, and yield a willing obedience to His claims.
While this light continued there was hope. But there was a period when this 10 light would cease. When he that is holy will remain holy forever, and when he that is filthy will remain filthy forever. When Jesus stands up; when His work is finished in the Most Holy, then there will be not another ray of light to be imparted to the sinner. But Satan flatters some, through his chosen servants, as he flattered Eve in Eden.
Thou shalt not surely die, and tells them there will be a season for repentance, a time of probation, when the filthy can be made pure. The coworkers with Satan and his angels carry the light into the future age, teaching probation after the advent of Christ, which deludes the sinner, and leads the coldhearted professor to carnal security. He is careless and indifferent, and walks stumblingly over the hours of his probation.
The light is made to reach far ahead, where all is total darkness. Michael stands up. Instead of mercy, the deluded sinner feels wrath unmixed with mercy. And they awake too late to this fatal deception. This plan was studied by Satan, and is carried out by ministers who turn the truth of God into a lie.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, 275-276. Daniel 12: 1 is the close of probation, which takes place after Daniel 11:44-45 is fulfilled.
These lasts six verses are “scenes connected with the working of the man of sin,” and they are the vision by the Hiddekel, which is “now in process of fulfillment.” This vision pictures the final scenes connected with the “man of sin,” concerning which there will be an “increase of knowledge,” and by which, “a people is to be prepared to stand.” The last six verses of Daniel 11 are a sketch of the final scenes of earth’s history.
Primarily, these verses isolate the story of the Papacy, as its deadly wound is healed, and it returns to the throne of the world, and ultimately “comes to his end.” What we must Know? What we must Know? We have been told that Daniel 11 is now in the process of fulfillment and that through the books of Daniel and Revelation will come a catalyst for the long-awaited revival. We have been informed that there would be an increase of knowledge about the Papacy, and the mark of its authority which would help to prepare God’s people to stand.
We have also been admonished that we must know these events: “All that God has in prophetic history specified to be fulfilled in the past has been, and all that is yet to come in its order will be. Daniel, God’s prophet, stands in his place. John stands in his place. In the Revelation the Lion of the tribe of Judah has opened to the students of prophecy the book of Daniel, and thus is Daniel standing in his place. He bears his testimony, that which the Lord revealed to him in vision of the great and solemn events which we must know as we stand on the very threshold of their fulfillment.” Selected Messages, book 2, 109.
All God’s commands are promises, and while He commands that “we must know” these events, He also sets forth promises that we may know them if we will search: “The time has come for Daniel to stand in his lot. The time has come for the light given him to go to the world as never before. If those for whom the Lord has done so much will walk in the light, their knowledge of Christ and the prophecies relating to Him will be greatly increased as they near the close of this earth’s history_’ The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol 4, 1174.
As we continue in this series of studies we should solemnly accept the command to study these prophecies and humbly pray for the promised light which will be found by those who strive to be among the wise. Individually, we need to recognize our responsibility to proclaim the warning message symbolized by the Hiddekel river, which identifies the king of the north as the Papacy.
More importantly, we must recognize and fulfill our responsibility to experience the message which is symbolized by the Ulai river, which points to the final work going on in the heavenly sanctuary. If we are unwilling to enter into the experience symbolized by the Ulai river, the message of the Hiddekel is of little value to us. Without the power received from an experience which enters within the veil of the Most Holy Place, any warning message which we may proclaim will have little effect on those who may hear it, and will avail nothing in our personal salvation.
The story of the two rivers in the book of Daniel is now calling us to an intellectual understanding of Daniel 11:40-45 which is the final movements of the man of sin as well as have an experience with Christ in the Most Holy Place. These testimonies are calling us to finish the work in our lives, in order that we may help finish the work in this world by proclaiming the final warning message in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The signs of the times testify that Christ is ready to close the story on these two rivers. Are we? 11 History in Transition History in Transition “The thing that hath been done, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun” Ecclesiastes 1:9 At least part of the knowledge that will protect us as we approach these final hours in this earth’s history is a knowledge of the past. The prophet Hosea declares: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: and because thou hast rejected knowledge,
I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing that thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6 The bible in conjunction with the spirit of prophecy strongly councils us to understand our history because much of it will be repeated in particular the rise and the fall of the papacy. “We have no time to lose.
Troublous times are before us. The world is stirred with the spirit of war. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place. The prophecy in the eleventh chapter of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Much of the history that has taken place in fulfillment of this prophecy will be repeated. In the thirtieth verse a power is spoken of that ‘shall be grieved.’ [ D a n i e l 1 1 : 3 0 – 3 6 quoted.]
”Scenes similar to those described in these words will take place. We see evidence that Satan is fast obtaining the control of human minds who have not the fear of God before them. Let all read and understand the prophecies of this book, for we are now entering upon the time of trouble spoken of: [Daniel 12:1-4 quoted.]” Manuscript Releases, vol. 13, 394.
Sister White identifies the historical fulfilment of Daniel 11 as something which we should expect to see repeated as the “complete fulfilment” of Daniel 11 unfolds. She especially highlights Daniel 11:30-36. The pioneers and Sister White understood that Daniel 11 was fulfilled from verse 1 through the first phrase of verse 40, which brings us up to 1798-“the time of the end.”
Therefore, when Sister White speaks of the complete fulfilment of Daniel 11, she is speaking of verses 40-45. Directing us to “scenes” and “history” which will be repeated, she isolates the history of these verses further by quoting Daniel 12:1-4. Sister White clearly recognized the standing up of Michael in Daniel 12:1 as being the close of probation. The complete fulfilment of verses 40-45 takes us from 1798 to the battle of Armageddon. During the events described in these verses,
Michael stands up, closing His mediation work and human probation: ” ‘And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.’ Daniel 12:1. When this time of trouble comes, every case is decided; there is no 12 longer probation, no longer mercy for the impenitent. The seal of the living God is upon His people.
This small remnant, unable to defend themselves in the deadly conflict with the powers of earth that are marshalled by the dragon host, make God their defence. The decree has been passed by the highest earthly authority that they shall worship the beast and receive his mark under pain of persecution and death. May God help His people now, for what can they then do in such a fearful conflict without His assistance!” Testimonies, vol. 5, 212-213.
It is within the time frame from 1798 to beyond the close of probation we should expect to see repeated “scenes similar” and “much of the history” prophesied to take place in Daniel 11, especially the scenes and history associated with Daniel 11:30-36. In this chapter we will briefly review the historical fulfilment of Daniel 11 as much of what took place during this time period will be repeated. The vision of Daniel 11 begins with the kingdom of Medo-Persia being defeated by Alexander the Great. In verse four we see Alexander’s kingdom divided into four parts for his four generals. From verse 5 onward, only two of his generals are mentioned.
These two kings were Seleucus and Ptolemy. Their interaction begins a story of the ongoing struggle for world dominion recorded throughout the rest of Daniel 11. This power struggle is prophetically portrayed as the battle between the kings of the north and the king of the south. One important point of this story is how the Scriptures identify the kings of the north and south.
By comparing recorded history with the testimony of Daniel 11, historians and pioneers discovered that the king of the north was the kingdom which controlled the geographical area of Babylon. They discovered also that the king of the south was the kingdom which controlled the geographical area of Egypt. This principle in Daniel 11 brings together the testimony of Scripture with the record of history. This geographical key is the rule which we will apply to Daniel 11:40-45 as we begin to identify who are the kings of the north and south.
This historical truth is, no doubt, one of the clues, which the Spirit of Prophecy intended to direct us to at the time when this prophecy was to come to its “complete fulfilment.” Through the first 13 verses, we find the ebb and flow of history described, as different kingdoms rose and fell. In verse 14, we see the primary subject of all Daniel 11 identified for the first time in the vision by the phrase, “robbers of thy people.” This verse states that these “robbers,” will “establish the vision.”
Uriah Smith addresses this phrase in verse 14 with the following observation: ” ‘To establish the vision.’ The Romans more than any other people are the subject of Daniel’s prophecy. Their first interference in the affairs of these kingdoms is here referred to as being the establishment, or demonstration, of the truth of the vision which predicted the existence of such a power.” Daniel and the Revelation, 244.
From this point on, the vision portrays the history of either pagan or papal Rome. In verse 20 we find pagan Rome summons Joseph to pay taxes in Bethlehem. In verse 22 pagan Rome breaks “the prince of the covenant,” by crucifying Christ. In verse 24 we see pagan Rome’s time of dominion set forth within a biblical time prophecy. The last phrase of this verse sets forth 360 years as the time when pagan Rome would rule the world by the words, “even for a time.” Uriah Smith concurs with other pioneers and historians on the starting and ending point for this time prophecy: “The battle was fought September 2, 31 B.C., at the mouth of the gulf of Ambracia, near the city of Actium. The world was at stake. . . .
This battle doubtless marks the beginning of the ‘time’ mentioned in verse 24. As during this ‘time,’ devices were to be forecast from the stronghold, or Rome, we should conclude that at the end of that period western supremacy would cease, or such a change would take place in the empire that that city would no longer be considered the seat of government. From 31 B.C., a prophetic ‘time,’ or 360 years, would bring us to A.D. 330.
Hence it becomes a noteworthy fact that the seat of empire was removed from Rome to Constantinople by Constantine the Great in that very year.” Daniel and the Revelation., 262-264; see also Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Vol. VII, 3, art., “Constantinople.” Pagan Rome’s 360 years to rule the world had its counterpart with papal Rome’s 1260-year time prophecy. More important to our study, is that the dominance of pagan Rome comes to its end just as the verses especially highlighted by Sister White begin. Verses 30-36 deal with the history covering the transition from pagan to papal Rome.
We will find that the scenes and events within that transition period, parallel the sequence of events found in verses 40-45. As we begin to look at verses 30-36, we again refer to Uriah Smith as he addresses Daniel 11:29: “The time appointed is probably the prophetic time of verse 24, which has been previously mentioned. It closed, as already shown, in A.D. 330. . . . The removal of the seat of empire to Constantinople was the signal for the downfall of the empire. Rome then lost its prestige….” Continuing, but now dealing with verse 30: “
For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even 13 return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. Daniel 11:30 “What were the ships of Chittim that came against this power, and when was this movement made? It was Carthage. See quote below: “Was a naval warfare with Carthage as a base of operations ever waged against the Roman Empire?
We think of the terrible onslaught of the Vandals upon Rome under the fierce Genseric, and answer easily in the affirmative.” Ibid., 266-267. Using Daniel 11:30-36 as a historical outline identified by the Spirit of Prophecy, we note that this past history was a transition time for Rome. Pagan Rome was about to leave the scene of action as the ruler of the earth, and Papal Rome was about to step into the vacuum. Daniel 7:24 addresses this very same transition: “And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.”