The evil, Mystery Babylon, that rules the world, consists of three parts. The Revelation chapter 18, shows this division. The three sets of “woes” in this chapter are against Spiritual, Commercial and Political Babylon.

• It is possible that we are and have been experiencing spiritual disaster in the U.S. and around the world. The forthcoming results of this spiritual rebellion could be the “woe” against Spiritual Babylon.
• During the Jewish Fall Feasts of 2008, the entire world experienced a great commercial and/or financial disaster. The world economy has not really recovered. The same policies and reasons (debt) for the collapse are still in place. It is possible that this reflects the forthcoming “woe” against Commercial Babylon.
• In the fall of 2009, during the Fall Feasts, it was discovered that Iran had another nuclear processing site. The United States and the European Union have signed a “peace agreement” with Iran regarding their nuclear weapons. The agreement is very controversial. We are currently watching the possibility of the makings of the forthcoming woe against Political Babylon.

The prophet Daniel in chapter 11 provides us with possibly the best, clearest chronology of End Time prophecy. Like so much of Old Testament prophecy, this chapter deals with prophecy fulfilled in the near term when it was written, and it also prophesies events that will occur in the long term or in the End Times.

The land by the Euphrates River is part of the region of Shiite influence. “For the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.” (Jeremiah 46:10.) Part of understanding Daniel chapter 11 is identifying the characters. The king of the North appears to be the person Christians know as the Anti-Christ, and could be a Shiite Muslim.

When Daniel refers to the king of the South, the Hebrew word used is negev (Strong’s 5045). This word means desert or parched, and is applied to regions in the south. The desert in the south of Israel is the Negev. When Daniel speaks of the king of the South he is referring to the desert lands; Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, and possibly the African desert countries of Libya and Algeria. These countries today are Sunni Muslim.

Gentile countries are frequently called in the Old Testament “the coastlands” or “the isles.” When Daniel prophesies about the Western coastlands, he is referring to Europe, the United States, and Western allies.

Beginning with Daniel 11:21, the End Time chronology is easier to determine. Daniel chapter 11 describes the actions of the king of the North and the king of the South. Verse 21 describes the king of the North and speaks of a vile, contemptible person, who is not royalty. He will invade “the kingdom” (Israel) when its people feel secure. “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them.” (First Thessalonians 5:3)

In verse 28 the king of the North takes action against the Holy Covenant. He invades the South but Western (American?) naval forces oppose him, so he turns and vents his anger against Israel. His armies set up what Daniel (11:31) and Jesus (Matthew 24:15) call “the abomination that causes desolation.” This must be 3˝ years before the Return of Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords. The king of the North will then continue to do as he pleases until the “time of wrath,” or Tribulation, is completed. (verse 36)

The saga of the Shiite Core continues in the next lesson.