The King of the North, and the King of the South - by pastor Mike Taylor - www.churchofgod-usa.org
"And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over." Daniel 11:40
When you read the book of Daniel, it is just about as confusing as the prophecy written in Revelation. Many people have tried to take the prophesies of Daniel and explain them in a historical context and proclaim that the prophesies in Daniel have been fulfilled. Have they?
True enough, the angel Gabriel came to Daniel to explain his vision of what would happen to the Jewish people from that time forward. Daniel and his countryman had been exiled into Babylon for a prophesied 70 years and Daniel came to understand that time span during the preceding chapters of this most profound book of historical and future prophetic events that would take place "at the time of the end".
If you read Daniel in it's historical context, you get a time line of what happened when the Persian Empire fell to Alexander the Great and the subsequent splitting of his empire upon Alexander's untimely death into four distinct empires that were filled with intrigue and struggles for power. To get a complete understanding of the events that surrounded this power struggle between empires and for lack of space to detail with the historical events, I did a search and found a rather good time line of events that show the battle between these ancient powers before the birth of Jesus the Messiah, at this address:
The above address will give you a good history lesson, and even that writer understands that Daniel has a duality of prophecy for a future fulfillment "at the time of the end" as the opening scripture passage clearly shows. In past messages, I have explained what Daniel was told by Gabriel the ark angel would happen to the Jewish people from the time of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.
"24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times." Daniel 9:24-25
It has been clearly revealed in past commentaries that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a foal of a donkey, as prophesied, 483 years to the day of Daniel's prophecy, but would be cut off, not because of Himself:
26" And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. " Daniel 9:26
Daniel 9,10 and chapter 11 deal with all the historical events that led up to the revealing of the Messiah to Jerusalem and the people of the Covenant. But noting that Daniel is a book of also future events that will play out at the "end of days" which is our time. What I aim to do with this message is examine a possible coming fulfillment of what this message wishes to deal with. Events in the Middle East are coming to pass, as if they were on steroids, as they are coming fast and furious and it almost takes your breath away at the speed of their arrival and it's hard to keep everything straight. Let us deal with what this message is titled "THE KING OF THE NORTH AND KING OF THE SOUTH" In future messages, I will take portions of Daniel's book given to him by God, that will point to what lies ahead for the world we live in. But first:
IDENTITY OF THE KING OF THE NORTH and SOUTH
For many thousands of years, the battle in the Middle East has been about conflict between ancient cousins and descendants of the patriarch Abraham. It's a historical fact based on scripture and historians who have written about the struggle between these ancient people beginning with Isaac and Ishmael. Down through the ages, the animosity has only grown stronger, as Islam became a parallel cult "religion" against the true God of Israel with a false god, "allah" From it's beginning, Islam has been at war with everyone, even within it's own "religion" of Sunni and Shiite adherents to their brand of Islam. The struggle continues even into our modern time.
The civil war in Syria has brought the whole area of this part of the world to the danger of a larger all consuming conflict that could escalate into nuclear exchanges between these two camps of Islam. If the civil war was not bad enough, the vacuum that was created by our feckless POTUS has given an open door to a literal Russian invasion at the request of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad to prevent his overthrow by Syrian rebels.
THE ARAB SPRING?
This all started by the ill conceived interference by our "Idiot in Chief" that happens to occupy the Oval Office of the White House and some call the POTUS. In his haste to install "democracy" (or was it to promote a new Caliphate arising? Take your pick) an Arab Spring developed that disposed of dictators that may have had lousy human rights histories, but at the same time, kept a lid on the warring nature of radical Islamic jihadists with visions of grandeur of a world-wide rule by Islam in a new Caliphate. Terrorism has risen to a disastrous level in the area and spreading to the rest of the world.
Back to the idiocy of our POTUS, further in lunacy, the man gave the arch enemy of the only democracy in the region, namely Israel, by giving Iran the green light to continue it's march to nuclear weapons. Oh, yes, we know all the bluster and grandiose of rhetoric that says that we have contained Iran and prevented this march to obtaining the bomb. But are other nations that see the rise of Iran as a possible regional superpower in the region buying this? I'd say nobody is fooled, except some of the people who voted for the current POTUS. Many nations have counted on the USA for support and preventing the rise of a regional power and overturning their respective governments. Let's analyze what is going on in the area that is the cradle of civilization.
For starters, Iran is Shiite and is in direct opposition to the nations of Saudi Arabia and Egypt which are mostly Sunni. They have been in conflict since Mohammed died and a disagreement arose of who would lead Islam in the aftermath. But this conflict grows stronger, as the Arab nations can't rely on the USA anymore, as our "fearless" leader has abandoned a coherent foreign policy to deal with the problem out of incompetence, or out of sheer evil to promote everything Islamic. Point is, these nations don't trust us anymore and have taken the matter into their own hands.
It is reported in the Wall Street Journal, the following:
"Frustrated by the deadlock of the second round of Geneva 2 talks, Saudi Arabia has reportedly offered to supply the rebels with anti-aircraft missiles. Meanwhile Russia has accused the US of once again hijacking peace talks and pushing for regime change.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Russian-made antitank guided missiles and Chinese man-portable air-defense systems are up for grabs, already waiting in warehouses in Jordan and Turkey.
An Arab diplomat and several opposition figures with knowledge of the Saudi efforts have told WSJ that these supplies are likely to tip the battlefield scales, as the rebels will become capable of taking on the government's air power and destroying heavy armored vehicles." Make no mistake, if this comes to pass, Russia will feel threatened and obligated to invade and start a war with the offending countries that dare face off against Russia the wounded bear and it's leader, Mr. Macho man, Vladimir Putin.
EGYPT DRAWN INTO THE CONFLICT
Then there is Egypt and their worry over Iran's development of nuclear weapon capabilities, which they are searching for a diplomatic resolution. It may become evident to Egypt that Iran is out for Middle East control and dominance. Another caveat, add to the mixture the worries over the terrorist regime of ISIS, and it really gets complicated. The Saudi's, the Jordanians, and Egypt have teamed up to attack ISIS. They all know that ISIS wants to take over their countries. And they are keenly aware that there are already individual people and organized groups inside each of their countries who are affiliated with ISIS and with al Qaeda. The violence is growing and it is reaching critical mass. The only way to defeat ISIS or to defeat Iran is if the Arabs in the neighborhood actually work together. And now. They finally see these new threats as serious challenges to their very existence-and they are now planning on how to confront it.
Each of these countries fear Iran and ISIS as a legitimate threat to their survival, even as ISIS is confronted by Iran for regional control. But each faction is just another slice of the evil Caliphate pie to control the area with their brand of Islam. Hence, the King of the South could be all Sunni Muslims that must push back against the regional hegemony of Iran and ISIS which are Shiite and the likely King of the North, or Shiite Muslim countries. ISIS itself and it's fighters are Sunni, but they use the tensions between the two factions of Islam to create a recruiting tool for themselves, and to further their plans for conquest of the region.
RUSSIA AS MAGOG IN THE REGION
What worries most prophecy teachers, is the presence of Russia as a superpower that is backing the aspirations of Iran for control of the Middle East. But don't think that Russia doesn't have designs on control of the Middle East for herself, by using Iran as a proxy, along with Hezbollah in Syria as bad-boy actors giving them more control while helping Iran at the same time. But in the end, who is in charge of the north? The answer is Russia is in control. Without Russian help, Syria would fall quickly. Without Russian aid and influence, Iran wouldn't have the support of the only superpower in the region and it's military might for backup or not to mention developing their nuclear arsenals. The kings of the South are worried and they are planning on attacking Syria, and Russia by extension, giving military aid and weapons while indirectly aiding the death of Russian solders and confronting their military might. This could blow up in everyone's faces if one false move happens and a regional war will bring Iran/Russia against the Arab powers in the south.
And as it was shown and prophesied in Daniel 11, who seems to be squeezed between these warring factions?.. Yep, tiny Israel who just wants to survive, is caught between a rock and a hard place. If and when regional war breaks out in the Middle East and the Northern Kings pushes against the Southern Kings, they have another thing in common with each other and it will draw Israel into the fighting because of proximity and Muslim hatred of the Jewish people...
As it was in the days of the defeat of the Syrian King Antiochus Epiphanes in his battle with the King of the South, Ptolemy IV and in his rage, he entered the Glorious Land and defiled the Temple that ended the sacrifices, so could the war between the king of the south and the king of the north give them the excuse and the convenience of attacking Israel to finally destroy her in one final crushing blow with a huge preponderous of military hardware at their disposal. Will this usher in Ezekiel 38-39? I'm not saying it will...but with war raging in the Middle East between the two factions of Islam in the north and in the south, and having Russian firepower, what could prevent Russia using their proxies and the heat of war to capture a big prize of Israeli oil and gas exploration? To me, it seems like a no brainer for a regional superpower to use overwhelming force to invade a small country and take what is not theirs to take. Ezekiel 38:
"Son of man, prophesy against Gog and say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshek and Tubal. 2 I will turn you around and drag you along. I will bring you from the far north and send you against the mountains of Israel.3 Then I will strike your bow from your left hand and make your arrows drop from your right hand. 4 On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to all kinds of carrion birds and to the wild animals. 5 You will fall in the open field, for I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord. 6 I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in safety in the coastlands, and they will know that I am the Lord."
I believe war is imminent and the USA can do nothing about it...Why? Because the POTUS (sic) has emaciated our military to the point that we can't intervene in any future war, and a feckless leader with nothing but dovish aspirations, or an Islamic theology won't lift a finger to save Israel from a vast invasion....God will do it and we will stand back and just watch. This vast invasion will be decimated with 80%+ falling on the mountains of Israel as food for the beast and fowls of the air.
If this comes to fruition and a war does happen soon in the surrounding countries that border Israel, and IF Russia and the Muslim allies choose to do so, according to God's will, to invade Israel and are struck down by the hand of God on the mountains of Israel, then I am of the belief that we are knocking right up against a 7 year peace treaty that will be signed by Israel for "peace and security" and failing to understand they are making a pact with the devil . Who is the other signer of this peace treaty? Yes, my friend, the prophesied man of sin, the "Anti-Christ". Who is the man? I believe it could be a number of individuals alive right now, and we have explored several possibilities, but God said that we will never see the man revealed, but only have a good idea to the run-up to his the unveiling of his identity.
"6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (II Thessalonian 2: 6-12)
Let's give a hypothetical analysis of what I'm trying to say and what I think the Word of God is telling us.
1. The King of the South will come against the King of the North, possibly sooner than we think.
2. one or the other will be defeated in battle, as was shown in ancient times
3. an evil thought will come into the leader of the Magog coalition, known as Gog...Russia? Putin?
4. The coalition will be soundly defeated on the mountains of Israel by the hand of God
5. in it's aftermath, a peace treaty will be brought to bear, as Israel has displayed warfare that can only by deemed Divine in nature and the world seeks a "peace treaty" with their God.
6. The Anti-Christ will be revealed and the Tribulation will start for 7 years.
7. Based on the Bible and it's explanation of what the Church will experience, before the man of sin is revealed, the Church (the TRUE Church of the Living God) will be taken out of the way.
I'm reminded of what Isaiah had to say, when this actually happens:
"19Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
20Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
21For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain." (Isaiah 26:19-21)
Do you get an idea of the sudden explosion of what I just spoke of? Do you see that it could happen this year, or next year? When? Don't know, but it appears it could happen at any moment and you discover it on your evening news special report. Will the Middle East allow Iran to be the overwhelming controller of events in and surrounding other Muslim countries? Will conflict happen? The answer is no to the first question, and yes to the last....War is coming...it may be a run up to ezekiel 38-39, but the undeniable fact is that the Middle East is a putrid sore about to burst wide open and what comes out of her, only God can know the outcome of when and how.
Jesus could come at any moment, as the events of the Middle East, especially as related to Israel speak of the nearness of the hour. When war breaks out and a peace treaty is signed, and calamity all over the planet surplants the events in the Middle East with millions of people suddenly disappearing, will you remember these words and cry out for mercy and forgiveness? What stands in front of you now is 7 years of pure H-E-double hockey stick...one that none of you will probably survive....you'll either be saved through Tribulation and martyrdom, or damned to a devil's hell for all eternity...
The events get more solidified as time goes on...The actors on the foreign policy stage are in place...the coalitions and opposing sides are in place. All it will take is a spark to ignite World War III starting in the Middle East. Don't want to experience such a dire prediction of death and suffering? Embrace this verse:
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life". John 3:16
Believe that with all your heart and ask Jesus, the Son of God to come into your life, and you will miss the most horrifying time in all the history of mankind.
Revelation 3:10-11 "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown."
This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying you heed the Holy Spirit's call and come "just as I am, without one plea" His blood was shed for you. Won't you take His free gift of salvation for your own? If you need counseling, prayer, or just a listening ear, email me at realteam1999@sbcglobal.net , or visit me online at my website, www.churchofgod-usa.org . God bless you all:
