7/31/2019 The Last Egyptian Prophecy

1/3

The Last Egyptian ProphecyR. David Pogge

February 3, 2011

All the political pundits on TV are trying to predict what will happen in Egypt. The Biblical

prophet, Daniel, made some predictions about Egypt, too. Which, if any of them, will becorrect?

Daniel made several political prophecies. All, except one, have perfect historical fulfillments.

The one prophecy that has never been fulfilled is one about what Egypt will do immediately

before the second coming of Christ. If the current turmoil in Egypt unfolds exactly as predictedin the Bible, then we can be sure that Jesus second coming is soon to follow. Therefore, it is

important to know what the prophecy says will happen, and watch to see if current events fulfill

the prediction.

There are many fine books examining the prophecies of Daniel and their historical fulfillments,

includingDaniel and the Revelation by Uriah Smith. These books spend hundreds of pagesexamining Daniels prophecies and their fulfillment in detail. Here is just a brief overview of the

prophecies.

Early in his reign, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and his captive, Daniel, both had prophetic

dreams. One involved a huge statue, and the other involved some beasts. Daniel interpreted

both dreams for the king, telling him that they were predictions of what would happen in world

history. In particular, the Babylonian Empire would fall to the Medo-Persian Empire, whichwould fall to Greece. Greece was represented in the dream by a swift goat with one very large

horn representing the first king. This horn would then be broken off and replaced by four lesserkings. The historical fulfillment was that Alexander the Great died without leaving an heir, and

the Greek Empire was divided among his four generals. In particular, Ptolemy became pharaoh

of Egypt, who ruled the entire southern portion of the Greek Empire from there. Daniel callsPtolemy, and all his Egyptian successors, The King of the South.

Some modern skeptics believe that the Book of Daniel had to have been written, not during theBabylonian captivity when Daniel lived, but immediately after the fall of the Greek Empire.

They say this because the prophecies are specific, referring to Babylon, Persia, and Greece by

name. Since the prophecies were fulfilled so perfectly, skeptics say that they had to have beenwritten after the fact.

Daniels prophecies continue, saying that the Roman Empire would follow the Greek empire.

Unlike Babylon, Persia, Greece, or Egypt, Rome is not mentioned by name. Although Romewas well known when skeptics say the book of Daniel was written, Rome was just a tiny village

hundreds of miles away that wasnt on the map during Daniels lifetime. Since Daniel had never

heard of Rome, he described it instead. The description is so accurate that modern scholars haveno doubt that Daniel was referring to the Roman Empire.

Daniels prophecies about the statue and the beasts predicted that the Roman Empire would fallapart into individual nations, never to be reunited again until Jesus returns. These two

7/31/2019 The Last Egyptian Prophecy

2/3

prophecies were perfectly fulfilled.

Near the end of the book, Daniel makes some Messianic prophecies. Specifically, he says that

70 times 7 will be cut off for the Jews, starting with the decree to restore and rebuildJerusalem. During this 490 year period, the Jews will be given a time of probation. According

to the prophecy, at the beginning of the last seven-year period, the Messiah will come. He willminister for 3 years. Then 3 years later the time specially cut off for the Jews will end. Thehistorical fulfillment came when Jesus was baptized and began his ministry in the predicted

year. He was crucified 3 years later. The Gospel was given to the Gentiles 3 years later

when Stephen was stoned and the disciples fled Jerusalem. Jesus made an obscure reference to

this prophecy when he told Peter that he should give others 70 times 7 opportunities forforgiveness, hoping Peter would recognize the time in which he was living.

The last of Daniels prophecies has to do with a long, protracted, see-saw battle between theKing of the North and the King of the South (Egypt). The first part of this prophecy has

unmistakable fulfillment in the crusades. Christian forces from the European nations in the

North battled Muslim forces from Egypt and other southern allies. Although there is goodconsensus about how the beginning of the prophecy has been fulfilled, there is considerable

disagreement about the last part, which tells how this on-going battle will conclude at the time

of the end. If this prophecy has not yet been fulfilled, it is not surprising that it does notperfectly match events that have happened in the past.

Unfortunately, in their zeal to find fulfillment for this last prophecy, some 20th century

commentators twisted the prophecy to fit the current events of the time. During the Cold War,Islam had lost nearly all of its power. Egypt was soundly defeated by Israel in the Six days War.

It seemed unlikely that Daniel 11 could literally involve Egypt or Islam. Commentators whofeared global nuclear war between America and the Soviet Union were sure that World War

III would be the Battle of Armageddon preceding the second coming. In their efforts to

harmonize prophecy with current events, some commentators spiritualized the King of the Southinto atheism, saying that the references to Egypt in these verses really referred to atheistic

Russia. The King of the North supposedly represented the United States of America (which, at

that time, was not ashamed to be a Christian nation, having just added under God to the Pledgeof Allegiance). Of course, Russia certainly isnt Egypt, nor is it a southern nation, but Desmond

Ford wrote in his book,Daniel, Now we come to the tidings from the east and the north. We

do not expect the points of the compass to be any more literally intended than the nationalnames.

Some modern commentators believe Egypt is prophetic code for the United Nations.

Libya is code for poor countries. Ethiopia is code for wealthy countries. But, what ifthe prophetic references to Egypt really refer to Egypt? What if Libya is prophetic code

for Libya? What if the compass points are literal? What if the Bible really means what it

literally says?

This last prophecy in Daniel talks about an abomination that causes desolation set up where

the temple used to be. It was important enough that Jesus told his disciples, So, when you seestanding in the holy place the abomination that causes desolation spoken of through the prophet

7/31/2019 The Last Egyptian Prophecy

3/3

Daniellet the reader understandthen those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. (Mt24:15-16). Daniel and Jesus both considered the location of the temple to be a holy place. Both

would no doubt consider the Dome of the Rock to be an abomination standing there. Is the

abomination that causes desolation standing inthe holy place right now?

The purpose of prophecy is not for us to be able to predict the future, or try to change it. Biblicalprophecy has been given to us so that we can recognize that things are unfolding according toGods plan as they happen. In Jesus words, So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to

pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. (Lk 21:31) and Now I tell you before it

come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. (Jn 13:19)

Daniel wrote,

And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of thenorth shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, andwith many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.

He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: butthese shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the childrenof Ammon. He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egyptshall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, andover all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at hissteps. But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore heshall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. And he shallplant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yethe shall come to his end, and none shall help him. (Chapter 11 verses 40-45)

It certainly seems possible that southern Islamic forces led by Egypt could make war on northernJudeo-Christian forces, with fighting centered in the Holy Land (where Edom and Moab were).

Perhaps Christian nations will prevail, invading North Africa (Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia).

Perhaps Russia (to the north) or China (to the east) might try to take advantage of the instabilityin the Middle-East.

Will the Muslim Brotherhood gain control of Egypt and start a war with Israel? Or will a pro-

western leader come to power and keep the peace? Theres no way to know. Current eventsmight fulfill the prophecies of Danielor they might not.

We should all be watching current events closely, and comparing them with Biblical prophecy.If current events perfectly match Daniels End Time Prophecy, then we truly are in the last days.

We need to act accordingly.