"The King of he North" in the Times of the End - THE KING OF THE NORTH REAPPEARS

 In 1871, the year after Russell and his associates formed their Bible group, the king of  the north reappeared. That year Otto von Bismarck was instrumental in establishing the German Empire, Prussian King Wilhelm I became  its first emperor, and he appointed Bismarck as the first chancellor. Over the next few decades, Germany became a colonial power, controlling countries in Africa and Pacific Ocean, and began challenging the power of Britain.  (Read Daniel 11:25)  The German Empire built a powerful army and the second- largest navy in the world. Germany unleashed them against its enemies in the first world war.

Daniel then points forward to what would happen to the German Empire and the military force that he had built. The prophecy states that the king of the north "will not stand." Why not?  "Because they will plot schemes against him. And those eating his delicacies" will bring his downfall." (Daniel 11:25b, 26a) Back in Daniel's day, those eating "the king's delicacies included royal  officials in "the kings service." (Daniel 1:5) To whom does the prophecy here refer?  It refers to high-ranking officials of the German Empire-including the emperor's generals and military advisors-who eventually helped bring down the monarchy.  The prophecy not only foretold the fall of the empire but also mentioned the outcome of the war with the king of the south. Speaking of the king of the north, it states:  "As for his army, it will be swept away, and many will fall down slain." (Daniel 11:26b)  In the first world war, just as foretold, the German army was "swept away" and many  did "fall down slain."  That war proved to be the deadliest in human history up until that time. 

Describing the time leading up to World War I, Daniel 11:27:28  says that the king of the north and the king of the south would "sit at one table speaking lies."  It also says that the king of the north would accumulate  "a great amount of goods."  Again, this is what happened. Germany and Britain told each other that they wanted peace, but those statements proved to be lies when the war broke out in 1914.  And in the decades before 1914, Germany grew rich, becoming the second-largest economy in the world. Than, in fulfillment of Daniel 11:29 and the first part of verse 30, Germany fought with the king of the south but was defeated. 

Next time: "The King of the North" in the Times of the End -  THE KING FIGHTS GOD'S PEOPLE

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