A Biblical sign that is now forming was foretold by the Lord to the Prophet Daniel. The sign has two major parts with other parts playing minor roles in the unfolding of the sign. In Daniel 11 we find the Lord introducing two entities whom He identifies as the “King(dom) of the North” and the “King(dom) of the South.” These are regions lying north and south of the Holy Land. Understand that unless otherwise designated, all directions mentioned in the Bible have Jerusalem as their beginning point. For example, the direction “north and west” means north and west of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was, is and will ever be God’s earthly capital.  The decades-long economic, ideological and military development of these two powers over the past several generations will not be discussed at this point. Rather, we will skip ahead to the time in which we now live.

In Daniel 11:40 we find God saying to the prophet: “At the time of the end (of this age) the King of the South will push at him (the King of the North) and the King of the North will come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen and many ships, and he (the northern kingdom) will overwhelm them (the nations comprising the southern kingdom) and pass through (totally destroy) them. He shall also enter the Glorious (Holy) Land and many countries will be overthrown (defeated by the northern kingdom).

The King of the North refers to the European superpower that has been developing since the end of World War II. Today it is known as the European Union–the final revival of the Holy Roman Empire. This union of 10 nations (clusters of nations–regions) is referred to in Revelation 17:12,13 as the “Beast” comprised of 10 kings reigning over 10 regions who, as Jesus told John, will be “… of one mind and will give their power and authority to the Beast”–the lead nation (Germany). What began in 1957 as an economical trading partnership known as the European Economic Community comprised of 6 signatory nations has grown into a multi-nation colossus. Out of these 2 dozen plus nations will come 10 regions, each comprised of several nations, who will agree to give up their national identities and sovereignties in order to become part of the Beast’s empire. Each region will have a “king”–a leader who will answer to the empire’s leader. This Satan-empowered governmental, military and economic monster will attempt to conquer the world, beginning with the King of the South–a union of Islamic nations that will come together around the nation of Iran. These two superpowers will clash one day soon. This conflict will eventually involve every area of the earth. The result will be World War III. L.J.