Identifying the King of the North in SDA Prophecy

In the interpretation of prophecy, the king of the north is identified as the power that occupies the territory of the northern division of Alexander’s empire, which is currently TurkeyDAR1909 306.1+1. While Ellen White does not explicitly use the specific title "king of the north" in a personal definition, she strongly supports the distribution of the book Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation, which identifies Turkey in this role21MR 434.1+1.

Prophetic Identification

• The Power in Question: The king of the north is the title given to the power that holds the territory originally part of the northern division of the Grecian empire, a role currently fulfilled by TurkeyDAR1909 306.1+1.

• Territorial Principle: If Turkey is not recognized as the king of the north, there remains no clear principle to guide the interpretation of these specific propheciesDAR1909 306.1.

• Relationship to the King of the South: Prophecy describes a striking series of wars between the king of the north (Syria/Turkey) and the king of the south (Egypt)DAR1909 306.1+1.

The Role of Key Publications

Ellen White placed a high priority on circulating books that explain these prophecies to the world.

• Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation: This book by Uriah Smith is regarded as God's helping hand and contains grand instruction that should go everywhere21MR 434.1+1.

• Volume 4 (The Great Controversy): This work, along with Daniel and the Revelation, contains the light given from heaven regarding the great crisis before us5MR 288.1+1.

• A Warning Against Neglect: There is a positive necessity to push the circulation of these books tenfold, as they open blind eyes to the fulfillment of prophecyPM 356.1+1.

Prophetic Fulfillment and the End of Time

• A Time of Trouble: The prophecies of the eleventh of Daniel have almost reached their final fulfillment, signaling that the time of trouble is very nearLDE 12.1.

• The End of the Power: When the power occupying the territory of the king of the north comes to his end, Michael shall stand up, and a time of trouble such as never was will begin Daniel 12:1PTUK February 18, 1897, page 112.13+1.

• The Nearness of the Day: The great day of the Lord is near and hasteth greatly, as evidenced by the movements of nations and the fulfillment of these prophetic periods Zephaniah 1:11HST July 15, 1840, page 57.11+1.

The Masterly Working of God

The Lord uses these prophecies to reveal the mysteries of the ages and to prepare a people to stand during the closing scenes of the great controversy19MR 319.3+1. While men may attempt to create false waymarks or discourage the study of these books, the word of God shall stand, and the truth will reach many minds through the wide circulation of this light Isaiah 8:9-10PM 356.1+1. Every Christian is called to catch the rays of light from the Word and let them shine forth to a world on the verge of a stupendous crisisPaM 153.2+2.