A NEW KING SENDS OUT "AN EXTRACTOR"

In the spring of 33 C.E., Jesus Christ told his disciples:  "When you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place, . . . then let those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains." (Matthew 24:15, 16) Quoting from Daniel 11:31, Jesus warned his followers about a future 'disgusting thing causing desolation.' This  prophecy  involving the king of the north was given some 195 years after the death of Antiochus IV, the last Syrian king in that role. Surely, another ruling entity  would have to assume the identity of the king of the north. Who would that  be?

Jehovah God's angel foretold:  "There must stand up in his position  [that of Antiochus IV] one who is causing an exactor to pass through the splendid kingdom, and warfare." (Daniel 11:20)  The one 'standing up' in this way proved to be the first Roman emperor, Octavian, who was known as Caesar Augustus. 

"The splendid kingdom" of Augustus included "the land of the Decoration"-The roman province of Judea. (Daniel 11:16) In 2 B.C.E., Augustus sent out "an exactor"   by ordering a registration, or census, probably so that he could learn the number of the population for purposes  of taxation and military conscription.  Because of this decree, Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem for registration, resulting in Jesus' birth at that foretold location.  (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-12) In August 14 C.E. -"in a few days," or not long after decreeing the registration-Augustus died at the age of 76, neither "in anger" at an assassin's hands nor "in warfare," but as a result of illness.  The king of the north had indeed changed identity!  This king of the north had by now become the Roman Empire in the person of its emperors.

Next time: 'THE DESPISED ONE STANDS UP'

From the book:  PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999