THE RIVAL KINGS ENTER THE 20TH CENTURY; CHAPTER FIFTEEN

"THERE is a dynamism about nineteenth-century Europe that far exceeds anything previously known, "writes historian Norman Davies.  He adds: "Europe vibrated with power,  as never before: with technical power, economic power, cultural power, intercontinental  power."  The leaders of "Europe's triumphant  'power century,' "says Davies,m "were in the first instance Great Britain . . .and in the later decades Germany." 

"INCLINED TO DOING WHAT IS BAD"

As the 19th century neared its end, the German Empire was "the king of the north" and Britain stood in the position of "the king of the south." (Daniel 11:14, 15) "As regards these two kings," said Jehovah's angel, "their heart will be inclined to doing what is bad, and at one table a lie is what they will be speaking."  He continued: "But nothing will succeed, because the end is yet for the time appointed." -Daniel 11:27.

On January 18, 1871, Wilhelm 1 became the first emperor of the German Reich, or Empire. He  appointed Otto Von Bismarck  as chancellor. With his focus on developing the new empire, Bismarck avoided conflicts with other nations and formed an alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy, known as the Triple Alliance.  But the interests of this new king of the north soon clashed with those of the king of the south. 

After Wilhelm I and his successor, Fredrick III died in 1888 29-year-old  Wilhelm II ascended the throne and followed a policy of expanding Germany's influence throughout the world.  "Under Wilhelm II," says one historian, "[Germany] assumed an arrogant and a truculent air."

When Czar Nicholas II of Russia called a peace conference in the Hague, Netherlands, on August 24, 1898, the atmosphere was one of international tension.  This conference and the one that followed it in 1907 established the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague.  By becoming members of this court, the German Reich as well as Great Britain gave the appearance that they favored peace.  They sat "at one table," appearing to be friendly, but 'their hearts were inclined to do what was bad.' The diplomatic tactic of speaking a lie at one table' could not promote real peace. As to their political, commercial, and military ambitions,  'nothing could succeed' because the end of the two kings "is yet for the time appointed" by Jehovah God. 

Next time: "AGAINST THE HOLY COVENANT" 

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