The King of the North is linked to Greece; not the nation, but the civilisation that came out of it (Dan 11:2). Modern historians and philosophers consider that Western Civilisation emerged out of ancient Greece, so the King of the North is a symbol of Western Civilisation. During the twentieth century the United States has replaced Europe as the centre of Western Civilisation and the King of the North is currently working through the United States.

The King of the South represents the Islamic nations to the south of Israel. During the 1980s, a revival of the Islamic religion began to spread all over the world, making Islam into a very powerful influence in the world. The struggle between the King of the North and the King of the South is a picture of a clash between Western Civilisation (initially the United States) and these Islamic nations.

The first event prophesied by Daniel was the revolution in 1979 that established Iran as an Islamic Republic. This resurgence of Iran as a political power was prophesied in Daniel 11:2.

Daniel described a fourth powerful ruler who gains power in Persia by his wealth. This refers to the power that Iran (Persia) has gained through the control of a significant share of the world's oil supplies. Revolutionaries from Iran have stirred up many people against the West.

In recent years, Iran has been eclipsed by Iraq. The rise of Saddam Hussein is described in Daniel 11:5.

Saddam Hussein is the commander whose power is even greater than that of Iran.

In 1991, following an invasion by Iraq, Kuwait sought assistance from a coalition of nations led by the United States. This unusual situation was prophesied in Daniel 11:6:

Kuwait is related to the King of the South, but not so directly as Iran and Iraq. It was weak and needed protection, so it was referred to as a daughter. Kuwait went to the United States for assistance. Saudi Arabia also sought assistance from the United States, so it could also be understood as a daughter of the King of the South. Two Islamic nations asking a Western power for help was very strange.

When Iraq invaded Kuwait, the United States joined together with a coalition of nations to drive the Iraqi army out of Kuwait in a mighty display of military power. This battle called Desert Storm was prophesied in Daniel 11:9.

This describes an army invading the Middle East, but withdrawing quickly. This is what happened in 1991. The coalition forces quickly pushed the Iraqi Army out of Kuwait. They inflicted enormous casualties on the Iraqi forces, but President George Bush (Snr) decided not to invade Iraq to depose Saddam Hussein.

The attack on the World Trade Centre was a pivotal event in recent history. The events of 11 September were prophesied in Daniel 11:7,8.

Daniel describes a leader or movement that belongs to the Middle Eastern family, but is not one of the Middle Eastern nations. The Al Qa'ida organisation led by Osama bin Laden is an Islamic network and not a separate nation. Daniel saw an attack on the fortress of King of the North. A fortress is a place of security. The people of the United States find their security in economic and military power. The World Trade Centre represents economic power and the Pentagon represents military power, so Al Qa'ida did enter the fortress of the United States.

The next prophetic event described by Daniel is a full-scale invasion of an Islamic nation.

Then the king of the North will invade the realm of the king of the South, but will retreat to his own country. His sons will prepare for war and assemble a great army, which will sweep on like an irresistible flood and carry the battle as far as his fortress (Daniel 11:9,10).

Verse 9 was fulfilled in Desert Storm when George Bush was president of the United States (see above). Verse 10 says that his sons will prepare an enormous army. This describes his son, George W Bush, who is now president. The word translated as prepare for war literally means to be "stirred up". George W Bush became very "stirred up" about Saddam Hussein and assembled a great military force in the Middle East. We are now seeing Daniel 11:10 being fulfilled as the United States and British army advances into Iraq.

Daniel tells us that this great army will sweep through Iraq like an irresistible flood and carry the battle as far as the fortress. The fortress refers to Baghdad where Saddam Hussein has his headquarters. Daniel suggests that the mighty army will pass through the land quickly to arrive quickly at Baghdad. It is not clear from this passage whether Baghdad will be captured, but the reference to "carrying the battle to his fortress" may refer to missile attacks on Saddam Hussein’s palaces.

President George W Bush and his advisors are intent on invading Iraq, despite considerable opposition. The reason for their determination is that, unwittingly, they are fulfilling the prophecies of Daniel. However, the fact that an act is a fulfilment of prophecy does not mean that it is morally justified. Many prophecies describe the acts of evil men. These prophecies are true, but they do not justify the evil. The same principle applies to the invasion of Iraq. The United States invasion of Iraq may be prophesied by Daniel, but this does not mean it is morally justified. Forcing a "regime change" is not a legitimate use of military power. God determines the boundaries of the nations (Acts 17:26), so the United States does not have the right to determine who should govern Iraq or any other nation.

Daniel describes the consequences of the United States invasion of Iraq.

And the king of the south shall be moved with anger, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north; and he shall set forth a great multitude, and the multitude shall be given into his hand. And the multitude shall be lifted up, and his heart shall be exalted; and he shall cast down tens of thousands, but he shall not prevail. (Dan 11:11,12 ASV).

When taking on Iraq, the United States is not just invading a third rate Middle Eastern nation, but taking on the enormous spiritual forces of the King of the South. These will not just roll over, but will strike back.

Daniel refers to two multitudes that are affected. The first is a great multitude raised up by the King of the South. An attack on Iraq might stir up the entire Middle East, leading to a collapse of the current order. Monarchs in countries like Jordan, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States could be overthrown. The Middle East might become unstable, unsettling the entire world.

The second multitude is given into his hands. Daniel may be warning that the occupation of Iraq could cause terrorist strikes against the United States that will deliver a multitude into the hand of the King of the South. Islamic countries might withdraw their investments from the United States causing collapse of the dollar and financial disaster for a multitude of Americans. Either event would fill the Middle Eastern nations with pride, but they would still not prevail. A military or financial strike against the United States would be a huge psychological victory, but it would not alter their current economic and military weakness.

This battle is not the end of the struggle. Daniel 11 describes four further battles with the King of the South (vv. 13, 25, 29, 40). Some of the invasions all come through Israel causing that nation to be "trampled by the gentiles" (Luke 21:24).

The reason for the distress is that before the saints can possess the Kingdom, the kingdom of man must collapse. The kingdom of man is rising to a peak, but is already coming under the judgement of God, and the human dream will soon collapse forever. This will cause much distress and will leave a tremendous power vacuum in the world, but Christians should be ready to step into the gap and work to establish God's victory. For the world, the Time of Distress will be a time of fear, terror and despair. For Christians, it is a time of hope, because we will have an opportunity to establish the Kingdom of God.