In Daniel 11:40-45 the end-time “King of the North” is identified in Daniel 11:40 and he comes to his end in Daniel 11:45. In the next verse Daniel 12:1 is the seven last plagues and the return of Jesus. For about 100 years the consensus among many Adventists has been that Turkey is the end-time King of the North and that at some point in the future Daniel 11:45 will be fulfilled. Then “immediately” afterward in time Daniel 12:1 will be fulfilled. I might add here that some Adventists today believe that the Papacy is the end-time King of the North. This idea is false. For one thing, 2 Thes 2:8 says that the antichrist (papacy) will exist all the way to the return of Jesus. But if he comes to his end in Dan 11:45, he can’t come to his end “again” in 12:1. There are other reasons, but for brevity will not be discussed here.
Recently, a few people have come forward with an “alternative explanation” that says Daniel 11:45 was fulfilled way back in the past during World War 1. I will explain that shortly. They also say that Daniel 12:1 “does not immediately” follow Daniel 11:45 in time. In other words, there will be intervening events that will occur between Daniel 11:45 and Daniel 12:1.
For decades many Adventists have been anticipating a move by Turkey against Jerusalem that must occur “before” Jesus comes back. But if the alternative interpretation described above is correct, the next major event “is” the return of Jesus. In other words, history could wrap up very soon! Daniel 11:40-44 can be demonstrated as “already” having been fulfilled, and will not be discussed here for brevity. The key verse in this discussion is Daniel 11:45.
The Ottoman Empire, also known as the Turkish Empire, controlled much of southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa between the 12th and 20th centuries. The empire also controlled parts of southeastern central Europe from the 16th to the early 18th century. The “eastern question,” was a term that was used to describe the decline of the Ottoman Empire and its hold on eastern Europe. The problem for the powers involved (primarily Great Britain, France, and Russia) was to “prop up” the Ottoman Empire for stability in the area. But the Ottoman empire began to crumble and lose power in the mid 1800s. In WW1, the Ottoman Empire was defeated and reduced to about half the size of modern day Turkey. Having said that, here is the historical fulfillment of Daniel 11:45 and the demise of the Ottoman Empire:
The first part of Daniel 11:45 was fulfilled as follows. The Augusta Victorian Hospital was erected on the Mount of Olives. It was built like a fortress and was completed in 1914. Almed Djemal was one of the military leaders of the Ottoman military during WW1 and set up his headquarters at the Augusta Victorian Hospital. There were Ottoman command posts set up in other areas as well. Later on, the victorious British also set up their headquarters at the hospital.
The second part of Daniel 11:45 has also been fulfilled! The Ottoman Empire was defeated in WW1. See Encyclopedia Britannica – Armistice of Mudros Oct 30, 1918. In 1920 the Treaty of Sevres abolished the Ottoman Empire. But the Turks were not happy about losing much of their homeland and they began a war for independence against the occupiers. This led to the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923 which established the “Republic of Turkey” in its current form. History is clear, the Ottoman Empire “did” come to its end just as Daniel 11:45 said.
It should be pointed out that the modern day “Republic of Turkey” is not an empire and is very much European in its lifestyle today. Mr Erdogan is not a king or sultan but an elected president. That is not to say the “Republic of Turkey” could not become involved militarily in some way in the chaos going on in the middle east today. It could get involved, but an “exact” fulfillment of Daniel 11:45 “a second time” cannot occur. Modern day Turkey is separated from Jerusalem by about 750 miles so an invasion would not really be possible without great assistance from other countries, which would not line up with the biblical text. It is also wrong for anyone to predict how a “future fulfillment” of a prophecy in the Bible will occur, which is what Adventists are doing today. That would break William Miller’s rule number 13. We are to “only” look back at history in order to confirm the fulfillment of a biblical prophecy. We are never to “guess” at how a prophecy will be fulfilled in the future. This is akin to spiritualism!
Now, the big question is this: Does Daniel 12:1 have to immediately follow the fulfillment of Daniel 11:45? The answer is NO for at least 3 reasons:
1. The ‘time of the end’ is mentioned in Daniel 11:35 and Daniel 11:40, and there is no reference to ‘time’ again until Daniel 12:1, where the prophet begins with ,”And at that time …” It is a logical conclusion to reach that in Daniel 12:1 the prophet is referring to the ‘time of the end’ that he previously mentioned in verses 11:35 & 40.
2. Ellen White wrote this: “We see evidence that Satan is fast obtaining the control of human minds who have not the fear of God before them. Let all read and understand the prophecies of the book, for we are now entering upon the time of trouble spoken of [Daniel 12:1-4, quoted.]” Manuscript Releases Vol 13 page 394, 1904
So Ellen White said that the “time of trouble” started before WW1 and would continue all the way to the second coming. The Ottoman Empire came to its end in the early stages of the “time of trouble” that Ellen White referred to. Michael will stand up in the last stage of the “time of trouble” in the quote above. History matches her description.
During 20th and 21st centuries up to 2014 it is estimated that over 187 million people have died from wars – and this is not to mention the 100 to 150 millions murdered by Hitler, Stalin, and Mao. See the following link:
3. There is another reason why Daniel 12:1 could not immediately follow Daniel 11:45 in time. There had to be a gap between Daniel 11:45 and Daniel 12:1 to allow for fulfillment of events described below that come to “completion” at the sixth plague.
Rev 16:12 “And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.”
A river is symbolic for the people in the area where the river is located. In this case, it was the removal of the Ottoman Turks and the establishment of the Kings of the East. The “final stage” of these things occurs in the sixth plague. So, the Kings of the East will be made ready. Made ready for what?
Rev 16:16 “And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”
Conclusion: See Matt 25 and the parable of the 10 virgins. All of the virgins slumbered and slept, but at midnight when the crisis came they all woke up. The 5 foolish virgins were unprepared to meet the bridegroom . Why have Adventists missed the long-past fulfillment of Daniel 11:45? Because they have all been asleep. But there is a crisis coming. The time to get ready is now. Jesus is coming back soon! Study this message out and if you believe it to be the truth please share.