"The King of the North" in the Time of the End - IDENTIFYING THE KING OF THE NORTH AND THE KING OF THE SOUTH

 The titles "king of the north" and "king of the south" were  initially given to political powers located north and south of the literal land of Israel. Why do we say that? Notice what the angel who delivered in the message to Daniel said:  "I have come to make you understand what will befall your people in the final part of the days." (Daniel 10:14) Until Pentecost 33 C.E., the literal nation of Israel was God's people.  From then on, however, Jehovah made it obvious  that he viewed Jesus' faithful disciples  as his people.  Therefore, much of the prophecy recorded in Daniel chapter 11 involves, not the literal nation of Israel, but Christ's followers. (Acts 2:1-4; Romans 9:6-8; Galatian's 6:15, 16) and the identity of the king of the north and the king of the south changed over time. Even so, several factors remained constant. First, the kings interacted with God's people in a significant way. Second, they showed by their treatment of God's people what that  they hated the true God, Jehovah.  And third, the two kings engaged in a power struggle with each other.

At some time during the second century C.E., the true Christian congregation began to be overrun by false Christians who had  adopted pagan teachings and who were hiding the truths found in God's Word. From that time until the late 19th century, there was no organized group of God's servants on earth. The weeds of false Christianity flourished and hid the identity of the true Christians. (Matthew 13:36-43) Why is that fact significant?  It indicates that  what we read about the king of the north and the king of the south could apply to rulers or kingdoms that held power from sometime in the 2nd century to the second half of the 19th century.  There was no organized  group of God's people for them to attack. However, we can expect that the king of the north and the king of the south would appear in the late 19rh century. Why is that the case? 

From 1870 onward, God's people began to get organized as a group. It was in that year that Charles T. Russell and  his associates formed  a Bible study class. Brother Russel and his close associates acted as the foretold  messenger who 'cleared up a way" before the Messianic Kingdom was established.  (Matthew 3:1)  God's people could once again be identified!  Were there any world powers on the scene that would have significant impact on God's servants?  Consider the following facts. 

Next time: "The King of the North" in the Time of the End - WHO IS THE KING OF THE SOUTH?

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