Eastern Question Answered

Ellen White on the Eastern Question

JOHN C. WITCOMBE

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Prophecy Waymarks Publications, April 2020

HELENA, MONTANA

Table of Contents

Title Page

Introduction

Panelist’s Information Profile

Statement No. 1 Spirit of Prophecy on Daniel 11:40-45

Statement No. 2 Three Statements on the Eastern Question

Statement No. 3 Identifying the Mysterious Brother

Statement No. 4 Daniel 11:45 Hijacked by Satan

Statement No. 5 Unity on Daniel 11 is Required

Statement No. 6 Matters of Minor Importance May Need Correction

Ellen White’s Endorsements for Daniel and The Revelation

Mission of the Daniel 2 Image Pocketbook

Introduction

I have participated in five Daniel 11 prophecy conferences within the past ten years. In each conference an excellent Christian spirit and collegiality has been manifested. After many hours of conversations and hundreds of pages of email correspondence on Daniel 11, I can see that honesty and integrity requires each prophetic expositor to maintain the various understandings to which they’ve come.

It seems that careful study and dialog is unable to bring us into a unity of belief. Take, for instance, the identity of the “king” of verse 36. Seeing this king as the papacy is just as valid as seeing him as France. Seeing verses 37-39 as referring to the papacy is just as valid as seeing these verses refer to the French Revolution. Seeing a two-way battle in verse 40 is just as valid as seeing a three-way battle. Seeing the final pronoun “he” in this verse as referencing the “him” mentioned earlier in the verse is just as valid as seeing this pronoun refer to the king of the north.

No amount of prayer, dialog, or multi-day Daniel 11 prophecy conferences has been able to bring us into unity of belief over the past ten years. And there is no reason to believe that ten more years of the same would change anything.

I believe it is essential that we understand this prophecy and that we present a united message on this prophecy to the world. And because this task is essential and because we are unable to come into unity on our own, I believe that God is going to have to provide the necessary guidance through His messenger, Ellen White. God’s guidance through her has, in the past, helped our church come into unity. We need this help once again.

In this small booklet, I am going to present statements from Ellen White that, I believe, confirm the “literal Turkey view” of Daniel 11:40-45, which was the view presented by our denomination for over 80 years. This prophetic presentation was known as the “Eastern Question” in the Bible prophecy lecture.

The Eastern Question lecture was only the worm to attract the fish. It was not our message. Our message was the three angels’ messages—the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Those were the hook. But Ellen White said that the Eastern Question opened up the mouths of the people: “Elder Smith spoke with great clearness, and many listened with open eyes, ears, and mouths. The outsiders seemed to be intensely interested in the Eastern question” (Lt. 55, 1884, Aug. 24, to W. C. and Mary White).   Can you imagine what the Eastern Question, powerfully presented, would do today? This is the bait that fish will bite. The enemy knows the power of this fishing lure. He saw it at work for decades, building up this movement. Let’s get this worm back on the hook and use it to attract people to our message.

In May of 2019, a three-day Daniel 11 prophecy symposium was held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Four different views of Daniel 11:40-45 were presented by a panel of six ordained Seventh-day Adventist ministers. I was one of those presenters. Each of us submitted an information profile so that the audience would know what our position was on these verses. The six panelists presented statements and our supporting evidence. Then the audience and the other panelists were given time to ask questions. What follows in this booklet is my “Panelist’s Information Profile,” along with six of my statements that present the view taught by Uriah Smith in his book, Daniel and the Revelation.

To read additional statements prepared for this symposium that support Uriah Smith’s literal interpretations of these verses, go to: ThirdWoe.com/las-vegas

You can watch a presentation of these statements HERE.

Daniel and the Revelation can be purchased or freely downloaded at: JerusalemCaliphate.org

Panelist’s Information Profile

John C. Witcombe

My view on Daniel 11:40-45 is the “literal Turkey view” as presented in Uriah Smith’s book, Daniel and the Revelation. I came to this view in January of 2010 by reading Smith’s book.

The “literal Turkey view” for Daniel 11:40-45 was the majority view of the Seventh-day Adventist Church until sometime in the 1940s. For the past eighty years, most Seventh-day Adventists have rejected the “literal Turkey view” of the last six verses of Daniel 11 and have instead opted for a “spiritual papal view.” Both views were represented by the panelists at the 2019 symposium in Las Vegas.

To illustrate the difference between these two views, notice how Daniel 11:44 is interpreted by the proponents of each viewpoint. First, here is the verse:

But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. (Daniel 11:44)

“Literal Turkey view” interpretation

Troubled by intelligence reports (tidings) coming out of Russia and Persia (north and east of Turkey), Sultan Abdulmecid I of Turkey (king of the north) declares war resulting in the Crimean War (1853-1856). —Uriah Smith

“Spiritual papal view” interpretation

The Loud Cry (Rev. 18:1) results from the LORD coming to the east gate of the temple (Ezek. 40:2; 42:1-4, 12). God’s throne is to the north (Ps. 48:2, Isa. 14:13-14). This represents the final warning message and call of mercy to “Come out of her, my people!” and the king of the north (the papacy) responds with fury and violence. —Louis Were

The proponents of each of these two views apply their rules of interpretation to the text. An important rule that guides the interpretation for those holding the “literal Turkey view” is William Miller’s Rule #11:

How to know when a word is used figuratively. If it makes good sense as it stands, and does no violence to the simple laws of nature, then it must be understood literally; if not, figuratively. Rev 12:1, 2; 17:3-7. (tinyurl.com/y3gpqwy2 note that all emphasis in quotation throughout this booklet is that of the author)

This rule is echoed in Ellen White’s book, The Great Controversy:

The language of the Bible should be explained according to its obvious meaning [literal view], unless a symbol or figure is employed. (The Great Controversy, p. 598)

This rule requires that the word “north” be understood literally since the word “north” makes good sense as it stands and does no violence to the simple laws of nature in being interpreted literally. There is nothing in the text that would make it obvious that the phrase, “tidings out of the north,” refers to a message from God’s throne. If “north” consistently indicated an earthly point of reference in the prophecy of Daniel 11, as most prophetic expositors agree, it would be inconsistent to view “north” in verse 44 from a spiritual, heavenly point of reference.

Hence, the proponent of the “literal Turkey view” believes that, in all eight instances where the world “north” is used in Daniel 11, its obvious purpose is to point to an earthly geographical territory located in the north. There is nothing obvious in the text that would indicate that “north” is pointing to the position of God’s throne, thereby indicating that the tidings mentioned in the text must relate to the Loud Cry given by God’s church. It is my belief that accepting this symbolic view of the word “north” violates the rule of “obvious meaning” and Miller’s Rule #11.

A rule adopted by many who take a “spiritual papal view” of Daniel 11:44 is that all prophecies in Daniel 11 that are fulfilled after Christ was crucified must be viewed spiritually and globally rather than literally. The proponent of the “spiritual papal view”

believes that the phrase “tidings out of the east and out of the north” must have a spiritual meaning and thus be understood as referring to the Loud Cry that God’s people will soon be giving to the world.

Besides Uriah Smith’s view of Daniel 11:44 harmonizing best with Miller’s Rules of Interpretation, there is another important reason why I am promoting Smith’s “literal Turkey view” of Daniel 11:40-45. It has to do with the following unchanging statement of fact:

The interest in Daniel and the Revelation is to continue as long as probationary time shall last. God used the author of this book as a channel through which to communicate light to direct minds to the truth. Shall we not appreciate this light, which points us to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, our King? (Ms. 174, 1899)

The interest in Smith’s book only lasted another 40 years from when this statement was written. However, Jesus, through His messenger, had declared that interest was to continue to the close of probation. Why is there no interest in Smith’s book today? How could we reignite interest? Another point is that Jesus directed that Uriah Smith’s book, along with The Great Controversy, above all other books, be given to the people, and, yet, we are not currently doing this.

The books Daniel and Revelation and The Great Controversy are the books which above all others should be in circulation now. Give them to the people. Light and truth they must have. (Ms. 29, 1890)

Here is what destroyed interest in the book, Daniel and the Revelation: Louis Were convinced our church that Uriah Smith’s teaching on the king of the north was a Jesuit-inspired teaching. He also claimed that anyone who would believe Uriah Smith’s view on Daniel 11 would not be able to experience righteousness by faith. Regarding Smith’s view, he wrote:

His presentation that Turkey is the king of the north (Dan 11) and that, Armageddon refers to a military battle in Palestine is a part of the Jesuit-fostered system of interpretation—the counterfeit of the Spirit of Prophecy teaching concerning “the final conflict.” ...

The most wonderful teaching that our Lord Jesus is preciously near to the Christian in his struggles with the powers of darkness, giving him victory now and in the final conflict, is hidden from those who believe that Turkey is the king of the north and that Armageddon (Rev. 16:12-16) refers to a military war. (The Truth Concerning Mrs. E. G. White, Uriah Smith, and The King of The North, page 10)

But God says that interest in this book is to continue as long as probationary time shall last and I believe that the best way to restore such interest is to show that Louis Were was categorically wrong. Since a contrary teaching on Daniel 11:40-45 is what destroyed interest in Uriah Smith’s book, restoring interest requires demonstrating that Uriah Smith was following sound rules of biblical interpretation in his exposition of these verses.

I believe that this needs to be done in order to fulfill the will of God as revealed in the two statements above. If we fail to verify the correctness of Smith’s view, I doubt that we will ever see interest restored, and the words of Jesus regarding a continuing interest in Uriah Smith’s book until the close of probation will not be fulfilled.

Statement No. 1

Spirit of Prophecy on Daniel 11:40-45

Statement: Ellen White’s statement that Daniel 11 “has nearly reached its complete fulfilment” (together with the comment in the Sabbath School lesson Seventh-day Adventists were then studying) implies that there is only one verse left to be fulfilled. This, in turn, implies support for the Eastern Question.

Good arguments for the various positions on Daniel 11:40-45 have been published. How is the layman supposed to figure out wherein lies the truth? Yes, we are to go to the Bible. But we are all going to the Bible and we are coming away with differing outcomes. God has promised to help us out, and, if He doesn't, we are helplessly locked in disunity of message. Here’s the help:

I recommend to you, dear reader, the Word of God as the rule of your faith and practice. By that Word we are to be judged. God has, in that Word, promised to give visions in the “last days”; not for a new rule of faith, but for the comfort of His people, and to correct those who err from Bible truth. (Early Writings, p. 78)

We have been trying to come into unity of message for many years, and, over these many years, most of us have only become more convinced of the correctness of our positions. If the visions in the last days cannot correct those who err from Bible truth, then we will continue giving the world a divided message on this important prophecy for the end-times. So I am going to be looking carefully into the visions to see if we can’t get some help.

In a 1904 personal letter to Hiram A. Craw, Ellen White solicited a loan for “one or two thousand dollars” (which would be $28,000 to $57,000 in today’s dollars) at a low interest rate to invest in the work. In this same letter, she mentions the eleventh chapter of Daniel. I believe that what she says about Daniel 11 confirms the correctness of the interpretation of Daniel 11:40-45 that was being taught in her day in the lecture concerning the Eastern Question in Bible prophecy.

Let’s take a close look at her appeal to Hiram Craw:

We have no time to lose. Troublous times are before us. The world is stirred with the spirit of war. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place. The prophecy in the eleventh of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfilment. (Lt. 103, 1904)

Ellen White wanted Hiram Craw to have a sense of the shortness of time and so she says, “We have no time to lose.” And the prophecy that she knew best revealed where we were in the stream of time was the prophecy of Daniel 11.

If Ellen White was absolutely clueless as to the identity of the kings of the north and south in the final verses of Daniel 11, if she believed that there was only confusion in the church regarding these last verses, and that nobody understood this prophecy correctly, I seriously doubt that she would have used these verses as prime evidence that time was short.

Let me repeat myself. If she had any reservations or doubts about what our church was teaching on Daniel 11, I don’t believe that she would have used this prophecy as her key witness that time was short.

Ellen White did not comment upon Bible truth of which she had no knowledge. She knew that our church was teaching that those last six verses of Daniel 11 had to do with earthly civil warfare as did the previous 39 verses. Perhaps that is why she says, “The world is stirred with the spirit of war” just before she refers to the final verses of Daniel 11.

Consider the context of her statement. She wrote to Hiram A. Craw on February 24, 1904. The adult Sabbath School lesson for the first quarter of 1904 was on “The Prophecies of Daniel.” (tinyurl.com/yby2vqyj) The lessons would cover Daniel 11 from the perspective of Uriah Smith’s book, Daniel and the Revelation, and of Bible Readings for the Home Circle. The next three Sabbaths (February 27, March 5, and March 12), Ellen White would study with the world church, “The Eastern Question.” With this context, it would have been obvious how church members would interpret Ellen White’s statement: “The prophecy in the eleventh of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfilment.”

Studying his Sabbath School lesson, Brother Craw would have believed that Ellen White was confirming that 44 verses of Daniel 11 had already been fulfilled in history and that only verse 45 was left to be fulfilled in order for the eleventh chapter of Daniel to reach its complete fulfilment.

By making this statement in the context of what was believed, taught, and published in the Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, Ellen White appears to be supporting the biblical interpretation of Daniel 11:40-45 found in the official publications of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

In the November 1904 issue of the Review and Herald, Ellen White published the statement she had sent to Hiram A. Craw regarding the shortness of time:

The judgments of God are in the land. The wars and rumors of wars, the destruction by fire and flood, say clearly that the time of trouble, which is to increase until the end, is very near at hand. We have no time to lose. The world is stirred with the spirit of war. The prophecies of the eleventh of Daniel have almost reached their final fulfilment. (Review and Herald, Nov. 24, 1904, Art. B, par. 8)

Again, the fact that there is only one verse left to be fulfilled in the eleventh chapter of Daniel and that the prophecies of that last verse are directly connected with the close of human probation means that this final waymark fact is the prime evidence God is using to tell us that the end is very near at hand. Because the Sabbath School Lesson earlier that year supported the interpretation of Daniel 11:40-45 taught as the Eastern Question in the public lectures on Bible prophecy across this nation, Ellen White would have been aware that readers would take this statement as endorsing that interpretation.

In 1910 she again repeated this statement, affirming again the denomination’s view of Daniel 11:40-45:

The truth is to go to all parts of the world. It is no time now for us to lay off our burden. The message must be kept before our churches: “Present the truth in its high, holy, sanctified character to the people.” Read pages thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen in Testimony, Vol. 9. The last crisis is close upon us. The world is stirred with the spirit of war. The prophecy of the eleventh of Daniel has almost reached its complete fulfilment. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place. (Lt. 80, 1910)

Here is the complete statement as published in volume 9 of the Testimonies:

But who reads the warnings given by the fast-fulfilling signs of the times? What impression is made upon worldlings? What change is seen in their attitude? No more than was seen in the attitude of the inhabitants of the Noachian world. Absorbed in worldly business and pleasure, the antediluvians “knew not until the Flood came, and took them all away.” Matthew 24:39. They had heaven-sent warnings, but they refused to listen. And today the world, utterly regardless of the warning voice of God, is hurrying on to eternal ruin. The world is stirred with the spirit of war. The prophecy of the eleventh chapter of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 14)

When these statements about the eleventh chapter of Daniel are coupled with Ellen White’s three statements on the Eastern Question, it becomes evident to me that the prophet of God endorsed the interpretation of Daniel 11:40-45 as taught by our church for nearly 80 years.

Statement No. 2

Three Statements on the Eastern Question

Statement: Ellen White’s statements on the Eastern Question imply support for this prophetic teaching.

For many years I have wished that we had something more definitive on Daniel 11 from Ellen White other than her many general endorsements of Uriah Smith’s book, Daniel and the Revelation. Ellen White’s son, Willie White, realized that even her statement regarding the Eastern Question was not proof but only “very interesting indications.” Here is what he wrote:

I do not know of any utterance of mother’s that tells us about the King of the North. The two things that most nearly approach to it, are the statement in Testimonies, v. 9, p. 14 and Testimonies, v. 4, p. 279. Here, in reporting the Danvers campmeeting, she wrote: “Eld. Smith spoke in the morning on the Eastern Question. The subject was of special interest, and the people listened with the most earnest attention.” These things are not proofs, but they seem to me to be very interesting indications. (Letter from Willie White to Elder John Vuilleumier, March 6, 1919) (http://drc.whiteestate.org/files/1033.pdf)

In the statement that Willie White references, Ellen White was not saying that the lecture on the Eastern Question was truth or that it dealt with events that would be taking place in the near future. She was just saying that the subject was of special interest to the people. However, just because people are interested doesn’t make the subject truth.

Had Willie White read this statement from its original source, perhaps he might have seen that it does provide strong evidence regarding the identity of the king of the north. Why is that? Because, in the original statement, Ellen White calls the lecture on the Eastern Question in Bible prophecy truth:

1. Sunday forenoon Elder Smith spoke upon the Eastern Question, just the subject the people wished to hear. The cars and three steamboats were pouring the living freight upon the ground until we thought that there were nearly as many as last year. And indeed there were more attentive listeners than last year. The mammoth tent was well seated, with backs to the seats. Sunday afternoon I was not prepared to witness such an immense crowd. Before me was a sea of heads and a living wall of thousands standing, who could find no room under the canvas. The Lord strengthened me to speak upon the subject of temperance above one hour with great freedom of spirit and clearness of voice. The audience was quiet and seemed deeply interested. Before I stepped from the stand I was again solicited, as last year, to speak to the temperance club in Haverhill the next Monday night the same words they had heard that day. I was sorry I could not grant the request. My appointment had gone out that I would speak at Danvers. They pled for the appointment to be given out one week from the following Monday, but we expected to attend the Maine camp meeting and were obliged to refuse. Notwithstanding I had held the people some time, they seemed unwilling to leave the tent and the grounds. Elder Smith improved the hour at five o’clock in addressing the large crowd upon the mark of the beast. Brother Haskell spoke in the evening to a large and attentive audience, and the great day of the meeting was over. Many had listened to the truth, and the day of final reckoning will reveal the results of that day’s meeting. We hope and pray that the good seed sown may spring up and bear fruit to the glory of God. (Lt. 10a, 1877)

Ellen White included the lecture on the Eastern Question as being a message of truth and as being “good seed” for the people that had listened to the lecture that Sunday.

Elder Loughborough also recognized the significance of Ellen White’s mention of the Eastern Question:

Dear Brother, your letter of recent date received. Yesterday I mailed to you a copy of the book on the sealing message. And I have sent a dime to the Pacific Press requesting them to mail to you a copy of “Prophetic Gift in the Gospel Church.” As to where you can get information on “the king of the North,” I think you will find it in Bro. Daniells’ book on “The World War.” Brother Uriah Smith laid no claims to “inspiration,” but his view on the king of the North is well established by Sister White in speaking of one occasion when he spoke on the “Eastern Question.” This you can read in Volume 4 of the Testimonies, page 278-279 where she called the discourse “a subject of special interest.” etc. It would bother those holding another view than what he advocated to find a word from her favoring their views.

One Brother, who had intimated in his writing on the subject that the king of the North might be the pope, told me that Sister White told him he “never should have intimated any such thing, and that his idea would only create confusion.” This was not put in print, but it was what he told me in autumn 1878...

Yours in the blessed hope,

J. N. Loughborough ( J. N. Loughborough’s letter to Wilfrid Belleau, March 25, 1915)

On July 16, 2015, the White Estate released 50,000 pages of previously unpublished material. In those pages were found three significant statements on the Eastern Question that are supportive of the interpretation of Daniel 11:36-45 as published in Daniel and the Revelation. If we will accept these three statements as a message from heaven, given to correct our lack of unity, God’s people could once again speak with one voice and present before the world a united front on this very important line of prophecy.

The first statement is from Letter 10a, 1877, and it was quoted above. Here are the remaining two statements, which few were aware of until now:

2. Brother Robinson spoke in the morning, at eleven o’clock meeting, to a very good congregation. At three p.m. I spoke to a tent full and crowded, and large numbers were on the outside. All in the tent could hear me well. I spoke one hour upon John 13. The Lord gave me freedom in speaking to the crowd. There was not any misbehavior, but a few of the young people walked out to look around the grounds. But there was as respectful an audience of intelligent, nice looking people as I have ever addressed. God alone can make the impression and give the increase. He alone can water the seed that has been sown. I pray to the Lord that the labor put forth may not be in vain. Many seem to feel deeply. We feel to thank and praise God that this large number could have a chance to hear the truth for themselves. Dr. Caro is now speaking at five o’clock p.m. upon the health question. Elder Daniells speaks this evening upon the Eastern Question. May the Lord give His Holy Spirit to inspire the hearts to make the truth plain. (Ms. 189, December 25, 1898)

Four people spoke that Monday. Ellen White was writing this report while the third presenter, Dr. Caro, was speaking. Notice carefully Ellen White’s prayer:

May the Lord give His Holy Spirit to inspire the hearts [of the presenters] to make the truth [on what they are about to present] plain [to the hearts of the listeners]. (Ms. 189, December 25, 1898)

Why would Ellen White want what Elder Daniells was about to present to be made plain? It was because she knew what he was going to say. She had heard the presentation on the Eastern Question many times before, and she wanted the listeners to hear and understand the truth that they were about to hear. That is why she was praying that Elder Daniells’ heart would be inspired by the Lord’s Holy Spirit to make this truth plain to the hearts of the listeners.

Notice again Ellen White’s statement where she includes by name the lecture of the Eastern Question and says that the listeners to this lecture and the other lectures of the day listened to the truth:

Sunday forenoon Elder Smith spoke upon the Eastern Question, just the subject the people wished to hear. … Elder Smith improved the hour at five o’clock in addressing the large crowd upon the mark of the beast. Brother Haskell spoke in the evening to a large and attentive audience, and the great day of the meeting was over. Many had listened to the truth, and the day of final reckoning will reveal the results of that day’s meeting. (Lt. 10a, 1877)

In this earlier statement, she applies the word “truth” to the lecture after rather than before it was given, as she did in the case of Elder Daniells’ presentation. If these men were standing in “pulpits with the torch of false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan” (Last Day Events, p. 179) and were presenting what Louis Were considered to be part of the “Jesuit fostered system of interpretation,” then would God have allowed His prophet to connect the word truth with the view? I think not.

The plain reading of this statement is that Elder Daniells was going to be teaching truth that evening when he presented his lecture on the Eastern Question. This is the second time that Ellen White called the Eastern Question truth, the first being 21 years earlier when Elder Uriah Smith presented this same lecture in 1877. This lecture was presented at many of the camp meeting evangelistic endeavors from the 1870s through the early 1920s, and it was included in what Ellen White characterized as “truth.” It was truth that had power to open the eyes, ears, and even mouths of outsiders, as we find in the third and perhaps most significant statement:

3. Our important meeting is now over. They estimate we have had from five to eight thousand people out, and the very best part of community. I never addressed a more noble appearing people.... The evening meeting was largely attended. Elder Smith spoke with great clearness, and many listened with open eyes, ears, and mouths. The outsiders seemed to be intensely interested in the Eastern question. He closed with a very solemn address to those who had not been preparing for these great events in the near future. (Lt. 55, 1884)

What are “these great events in the near future” of which the Eastern Question speaks? We have located over 850 newspaper reports of the Eastern Question lectures that Elders Daniells, Smith, and other ministers were presenting across the USA, Canada, and Australia over many decades. So, we know exactly what was being taught “with great clearness” as truth, and it involved the historical recitation of the fulfilled prophecies of Daniel 11:40-44 as presented in Uriah Smith’s book, Daniel and the Revelation. It also brought out the great events in the near future that involved the fulfillment of Daniel 11:45-12:1. These great events had to do with the future fulfillment of the last prophetic waymark of Daniel 11—the leader of Turkey planting the tabernacles of his palace in Jerusalem, then coming to his end, followed by the close of probation and the great time of trouble.

Now, I am going to say something that might surprise you—I believe that the last power brought to view in Daniel 11 is the papacy. The papacy is the last power standing before the close of probation. After the leader of Turkey sets himself up in Jerusalem, the trouble that is unleashed by the third woe (or third Jihad), along with unprecedented natural disasters, causes Americans to demand of Congress a national Sunday law as a means of restoring God’s favor. Soon other nations will follow the United States’ example, and the activities of Satan who is impersonating Christ will also encourage them to follow the United States. This false Christ will bring honor and status to the papacy because they were the ones who obeyed him and changed the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday. Nearly the whole earth will then be worshiping the beast and the dragon (which is Satan impersonating Christ). Even the leader of the Muslim world, who is ruling from Jerusalem, will bow at the feet of the false Christ and the pope. The Caliph’s power will come to an end and none will help him because everyone, except God’s people, is now worshiping this false Christ.

Now, back to the main topic.

Had Ellen White not said that the lectures on the Eastern Question were clear presentations of truth dealing with great events that were about to take place in the near future, then Daniel 11:40-45 might very well have a different interpretation from what was being presented.

Daniel 2, the first prophecy of the book of Daniel, is like an Interstate highway map. It is an overview of world kingdoms to come. Daniel 11, the last prophecy of this book, is like a city map. When you are getting close to your destination, you want to pull out the city map. The city map becomes present truth, and it is just what the people wish to hear.

When our pioneers went into a new territory, which chapter of Daniel do you think they used to capture the attention of the people? Yes, it was chapter 11. That prophecy was just what the people wished to hear, as Ellen White said.

I’ve experimented with this approach. On a 12-day Alaskan cruise in 2018, I gave the ship’s activities director a copy of a book I wrote, Jerusalem Caliphate and the Third Jihad, and told him that I would be willing to give a lecture on the subject of this book. That’s all I said, and I didn’t really expect that he would do anything about this. But he did. He was interested in this subject and arranged for me to speak in one of the ship’s premiere lounges. He put this short advertisement in the ship’s newspaper:

Lecture: Jerusalem Caliphate and the Third Jihad. Join fellow guest and author, Pastor John Witcombe for this lecture. Discover what Bible prophecy reveals regarding the end game for the city of Jerusalem. Explorers Lounge, Deck 7 Midship.

I was wondering if I would get a half a dozen people to show up in the lounge that could seat 250+ people. Was I ever surprised when the place was packed out! The lecture was just what the people wanted to hear and—I might add—needed to hear. The ship’s director was there and saw the interest of the people. He thanked me on three separate occasions. A ship entertainer who had been on hundreds of cruises, told me that he had never seen a Bible prophecy lecture given in one of the ship’s premiere lounges. He saw the interest that the people had and encouraged me to offer this lecture on other cruise lines.

The literal view of Daniel 11:40-45 is easy for the world to understand. They can readily see how the history of Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign perfectly fits every detail of a literal interpretation of verses 40-43. Verse 44, again, is a perfect fit for the Russian-Persian-Turkish Crimean War of 1853-1856. The world can readily see how a literal interpretation of verse 45 could be on the verge of fulfillment with the recent changes that have taken place in Turkey.

They don’t have to try to figure out why we switch from a literal view for the first half of Daniel 11, to a symbolic view for the last six verses. It might be difficult to get the general public to understand that tidings out of the east and out of the north is the loud cry but perhaps not quite as difficult as getting them to see that the Seventh-day Adventist Church as the glorious holy mountain of verse 45. They might find it hard to follow our reasoning for why the kings of the north and south are no longer civil powers but, in verse 40, are religions or ideologies.

In fact, it might be so difficult for the general public to figure out what in the world we are talking about that we might just be tempted to no longer present the prophecies of Daniel 11 to the public. And the sad fact is, Daniel 11:40-45 is no longer a part of most evangelistic series. We have lost one of our most successful entering wedge messages that our church has ever had.

I wonder who might be happy with that!

There was a reason why our pioneers used a literal view of Daniel 11 as the opening message in their evangelistic presentations. Because of its connection with the then current newspaper headlines concerning the Middle East and the Eastern Question, people naturally had an interest in this topic. This advertised lecture brought the people out to the meeting halls. They could see that we were teaching relevant prophetic truth that no one else was teaching and this opened the door for the presentation of the three angels’ message, resulting in the establishment of a Seventh-day Adventist church in that community.

Let me say it again: It’s time to get this worm back on the hook and use it to attract people to our message!

Statement No. 3

Identifying the Mysterious Brother

Statement: In the October 3, 1878 issue of The Review and Herald, James White wrote an article suggesting that the king of the north was the pope. This is the very time (autumn of 1878) that Elder Loughborough reports that a brother told him of getting reproved by the prophet of God for writing about the king of the north possibly being the pope and being told that he “never should have intimated any such thing.” Nine years later, Ellen White wrote to Elders Waggoner and Jones about needing to reprove her husband for agitating “some ideas on some points differing from the views taken by his brethren.” The evidence suggests that this could be the very experience of which Loughborough reported in his letter to Wilfrid Belleau.

On March 25, 1915, J. N. Loughborough wrote the following to Wilfrid Belleau:

Dear Brother… One Brother, who had intimated in his writing on the subject that the king of the North might be the pope, told me that Sister White told him he “never should have intimated any such thing, and that his idea would only create confusion.” This was not put in print, but it was what he told me in autumn 1878 ... ( J. N. Loughborough’s letter to Wilfrid Belleau, March 25, 1915)

Who was this “brother” who wrote such a thing? Who would have introduced this confusing idea that the pope might be the king of the north? The reason why it would have been so confusing is because in 1878 there was general agreement in the Seventh-day Adventist Church that the pope was not the king of the north, but rather, that it was Turkey. All our major publications were teaching this. Our ministers and evangelists were all teaching this.

In 1877, James White confirmed that the church was in general agreement that Turkey was the king of the north:

It may be said that there is a general agreement upon this subject, and that all eyes are turned toward the war now in progress between Turkey and Russia as the fulfillment of that portion of prophecy which will give great confirmation of faith in the soon loud cry and close of our message. (James White, Review and Herald, November 29, 1877, p. 172)

So, what Brother would have written something so contrary to the united view of the denomination at that time? There is only one person I know of who wrote a contradictory point of view at this point in time—Brother James White.

When James White wrote his controversial article and then orally presented what he had written at a major convocation of our church, it was a shock to many, including his own son, Willie White. James White was reproved by the Lord through his wife, Ellen White, for what he did. The reproof was never put into print, but was only verbally given to Elder White just as Loughborough reports.

The two-part article James White wrote was to have been continued in the next issue of The Review and Herald, but part two was never written because of the reproof he had received.

Here is what James White wrote:

And there is a line of historic prophecy in chapter eleven, where the symbols are thrown off, beginning with the kings of Persia, and reaching down past Grecia and Rome, to the time when that power “shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” If the feet and the toes of the metallic image are Roman, if the beast with ten horns that was given to the burning flames of the great day be the Roman beast, if the little horn which stood up against the Prince of princes be Rome, and if the same field and distance are covered by these four prophetic chains, then the last power of the eleventh chapter, which is to “come to his end and none shall help him,” is Rome. But if this be Turkey as some teach, then the toes of the image of the second chapter are Turkish, the beast with ten horns of the seventh chapter represents Turkey and it was Turkey that stood up against the Prince of princes of the eighth chapter of Daniel. True, Turkey is bad enough off; but its waning power and its end is the subject of the prophecy of John and not of Daniel.... (To be continued.) (James White, “Where Are We” Review and Herald, October 3, 1878, , page 116)

Even though the reproof was never written down but was only given verbally, both Ellen White and her son, Willie White, referred to a certain reproof that James White received:

In father’s efforts to arouse our brethren to clear of the B. C. College debt, and to raise money for the B. C. San. and for the European Mission, and for the proposed British Mission, and other things, he had met the plea, “It is too late, Eld. White to plan for all these things. TOO LATE, TOO LATE.” And when he heard Eld. Smith’s presentation, fear seized his soul, and he threw in his exposition on Daniel 11, not so much that he really believed it, as that he thought it would check a movement that he thought was bordering into fanaticism, and might lead to the hindrance of the work to be done. He was reproved by the Lord for bringing in distrust as to the unity of the leaders, and sank down in discouragement, and thus the great financial campaign collapsed. (Letter from Willie White to Elder John Vuilleumier, March 6, 1919)

Willie White expressed his shock to hear his father teaching that Rome was the “king of the north”:

During the few months preceding this meeting, I had read Daniel and Revelation by Elder Uriah Smith. I loved the writer; I admired his style; I loved his teaching: and I was shocked when Elder White presented another view regarding the king of the North. One day I said to him, “Father, I have just read Elder Smith’s book and his exposition seems clear to me. Do you really believe that Rome is the king of the North?” His answer was, “I think Elder Smith is going too fast in his exposition, and I thought it was time to present something to check the current of belief that what is transpiring was the beginning of Armageddon. (Letter from Willie White to Elder Froom, December 12, 1930)

Nine years later, after Elder White’s 1878 article, Ellen White wrote to Elders Waggoner and Jones about correcting her husband:

My husband had some ideas on some points differing from the views taken by his brethren. I was shown that however true his views were, God did not call for him to put them in front before his brethren and create differences of ideas. While he might hold these views subordinate himself, once [they are] made public, minds would seize [upon them], and just because others believed differently would make these differences the whole burden of the message, and get up contention and variance. (Lt. 37, 1887)

Were James White (age 57) and Loughborough (age 46) in the same geographical location in the autumn of 1878, thus making it possible for the two of them to have had this conversation of which Loughborough reports? James White records that they were indeed together at this point in time:

We were very happy to meet Elder Loughborough, from California, this morning, Monday, the 30th. He appears some worn from his excessive labors at the two camp-meetings in California, but enjoys his usual good health and buoyant spirits. He has many old friends who will greet him with joy at the camp-meeting, after an absence on the Pacific coast of ten years. (James White, Review and Herald, October 3, 1878, p. 116)

James White, failing to heed the reproof of the Lord, writes once again, two years later, in an article in the Review and Herald, that same differing view of which he had been told to keep to himself:

The field of Daniel’s prophecy embraces five universal kingdoms. These are Babylon, Media and Persia. Grecia, Rome, and the eternal kingdom of God. The ground of the four perishable kingdoms, reaching to, and introducing the immortal kingdom, is covered by four distinct lines of prophecy. These are given in chapters two, seven, eight and eleven. The eleventh chapter of Daniel closes with the close of the fourth monarchy, with these words: “And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; [mountain of delight of holiness, Heb. Marg.;] yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” (James White, Review and Herald, July 8, 1880, p. 40)

This would be the last time that James White would give expression to his differing views. He died one year later at the young age of 60.

Let’s look once more at Elder Loughborough’s letter:

Dear Brother… One Brother, who had intimated in his writing on the subject that the king of the North might be the pope, told me that Sister White told him he “never should have intimated any such thing, and that his idea would only create confusion.” This was not put in print, but it was what he told me in autumn 1878 ... (J. N. Loughborough’s letter to Wilfrid Belleau, March 25, 1915)

The statement that this brother gave to Elder Loughborough made such an impact that he remembers the very words that this brother gave to him and thus puts those words in quotations. In deference to this esteemed brother, Elder Loughborough does not reveal his name. But the year and season is noted in his letter and, with that significant clue and knowing who it was that was publicly teaching that the pope was the king of the north in the autumn of 1878, the identity of this respected brother becomes quite obvious.

Assuming that these quoted words are indeed from Ellen White and that these are the very words she used in reproving her husband, significant insight into the prophet’s understanding of Daniel 11:40-45 can be seen. If James White, or if anyone else for that matter, was never to intimate that the pope was the king of the north, then no one in our church should ever intimate such a thing. If everyone had followed this inspired directive, there would not be confusion today over this important prophecy.

If Ellen White told her husband that he should have never intimated that the king of the north might be the pope because of the confusion it would create, what would she have said to Louis Were when he did the same thing in the middle of the 20th century? The confusion and discord James White and Louis Were generated, by disregarding the word of God through Ellen White, continues to this very day.

In that letter to Elders Waggoner and Jones, Ellen White predicted:

Begin to draw apart and feel at liberty to express your ideas without reference to the views of your brethren, and a state of things will be introduced that you do not dream of. (Lt. 37, 1887)

We are currently experiencing that “state of things.” Today, we have never been more conflicted over several significant end-time prophecies about which our church was at one time in general agreement.

Statement No. 4

Daniel 11:45 Hijacked by Satan

Statement: Satan is preparing the world for his impersonation of Christ. He knows the correct interpretation of Daniel 11:45 and has taken that interpretation and has connected a false narrative to its fulfillment.

Perhaps you have heard of the New York Times bestselling author, Joel Richardson. He has published many books, including such titles as Mideast Beast, The Islamic Antichrist, and When a Jew Rules the World.

Here are a couple trailers advertising Joel’s books:

Mideast Beast by Joel Richardson

More books by Joel Richardson

Glenn Beck, Pat Robertson, Joseph Farah, and Jim Bakker are a few of the notables that believe what Joel is teaching. His views are becoming the dominant view in evangelical Christianity.

In the teachings of Joel Richardson, I found Satan’s strategy for preparing the world to receive him as the “Christ” when he pulls off his crowning act of deception—the impersonation of Christ.

Satan must believe that the time for this event is near because he has selected a person and has given him a mission to promote a prophetic teaching that is currently capturing the attention of the Evangelical world.

Satan has studied the prophecies and he is well aware of what they teach concerning the future. He knows that Daniel 11:45 teaches that the Islamic leader of Turkey will be coming to Jerusalem to establish his authority over this territory. So he has taken this fact regarding this future event and has placed a false narrative on the fulfillment of this prophecy.

Here is that false narrative: Joel Richardson is teaching that the antichrist is an Islamic leader from Turkey. In fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 and 39, this antichrist will set up his headquarters in Jerusalem.

This will begin a spurious seven-year time period, and three and a half years into this time period “Christ” appears, causes the antichrist to come to his end, and begins “His” earthly reign over the nations.

Richardson does not mention Daniel 11:45 in this teaching. However, the fact is that a scenario similar to what he outlines will be taking place (according to Uriah Smith) in fulfillment of Daniel 11:45—the leader of Turkey (who is not the antichrist) will go to Jerusalem, and he will come to his end. And what brings him to his end? The prophecy does not tell us, but it is entirely possible that the arrival of Satan impersonating Christ could accomplish this. Islam is expecting the coming of Christ, and they believe that when He comes He will rule the world. So the Caliph of Islam, who will be ruling from Jerusalem, would cease his rule by turning it over to this majestic being. Mind you, this is only one suggested scenario as to how this final phrase of Daniel 11:45 might be fulfilled. Contrary to what Islam teaches, “Christ” will not be converting the world to Islam. No, the world will not be honoring the Muslim holy day, Friday, but rather, the papal holy day, Sunday. This false Christ will extol the papacy and her day of worship. The Muslim world, along with everyone else, except God’s people, will be worshiping the dragon (Satan) and his agency, the beast (the papacy).

So, what Richardson is teaching regarding Turkey and Israel will actually occur as Satan very well knows it will. Satan is taking the truth of what will actually take place, according to Daniel 11:45, and is using this truth with a false narrative to establish his legitimacy when he impersonates Christ.

I believe that Richardson’s book, Mideast Beast, is a masterpiece of error channeled from Satan.

Take a look at this short interview:

SID: My next guest was hand-chosen by God and given unique insight into end-time Bible prophecy. For the very first time many of you will connect the dots, and you’re going to be shocked as these mysteries are explained in a different way than today’s popular teachings, on this edition of “It’s Supernatural.” Hello. Sid Roth here with Joel Richardson and I love prophecy. I love God predicting what’s going to happen. And I used to be a stockbroker, and I’m almost ashamed to say I knew about things like inside information at that time, before I was a believer. Well, we Bible believers are supposed to be dealing with inside information. And my guest, Joel Richardson, I believe, was hand-picked to understand end-time Bible prophecy revelation. As a matter of fact, Joel, your wife had a prophetic word before you were even married. Tell me about that.

JOEL: She [my wife] had a woman that was praying over her with a significant prophetic gifting, and one of the things that she said was that you’ll marry someone that will release significant new understanding into the end-times to the body of Christ. Now when she said that, shortly after we got married, I thought, how can I release information about something that I have no understanding. This is not something that I can make happen, so if that’s going to take place it’s going to be something that the Lord is going to have to release.

SID: Okay, so then you go to a meeting with 7,000 people, and with 7,000 people a prophet is speaking, and guess who he picks out to prophesy over? Joel. Did you know he was going to pick you? I mean, 7,000 people!

JOEL: Sitting in the shadows of the back row of this massive auditorium, he called my wife and me out by name.

SID: By name. Did he know you?

JOEL: No.

SID: Okay.

JOEL: Called us out by name and spoke about several different issues in our lives that no one... that no man could know in the natural. Obviously the Lord was speaking to us. And then among the things that he said was that the Lord was releasing me into a season of divine revelation, specifically because of years of waiting on the Lord and developing and cultivating an intimate relationship.

SID: And you knew that divine revelation... what was exploding within you when he said that?

JOEL: The moment he said ... I immediately, my mind was immediately moved to the prophecy that my wife had, and I knew that it had to do with this revelation concerning the end-times. And still, at that time, I thought, you know, it’s going to have to be the Lord. But it was shortly after that I guess I’ll call it “the divine downloads” began to take place. And you know it when it happens. You wake up. You read the Word. He opens up the Word, and there’s just energy. There’s energy on your Bible study. There’s energy and enlightenment on your mind, so to speak, as you consider world events. Really, I’ve sort of been in that buzz, it seems as though now for the past several years.

SID: Okay. He spends almost a year in the Middle East. He studies and applies himself, as he should. But it’s not a normal study. It’s with revelation. And in your studies you found some fascinating things out about Islam. Tell me some of the things you found out. (see full transcript)

These “divine downloads” that came to Joel came from the enemy of all truth whose power to “deceive is ten-fold greater than it was in the days of the apostles.” (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, p. 277)

I believe that Satan is giving the Evangelical world, through Joel Richardson, an understanding of prophecy that corresponds with what will actually be taking place but with an interpretation of these events that is completely false.

This prophetic deception hides the true identity of the beast, the whore of Revelation, and the antichrist—the Roman Catholic Church. And with what better way than to predict future events

that actually will take place but with a false narrative attached to those events!

The teaching that the antichrist will come from Europe and rule from Jerusalem has been taught in the Christian world for decades. Ezekiel 38 and 39 are used to teach that at the end of time this great army from Russia, “Gog and Magog,” will sweep down upon Israel. Joel Richardson’s book is teaching that Gog and Magog is not Russia, but rather, the term refers to Turkey. And, as mentioned above, he believes that the prophecies teach that the antichrist will be an Islamist from Turkey and will set up his seven-year reign in Jerusalem. He believes that this will be the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 and 39.

And of course, world conditions today favor Joel’s views because Daniel 11:45 is indeed about to be fulfilled. Thus many evangelicals are accepting what he is teaching.

Notice what Sheikh Raed Salah, head of the Islamic Movement in Israel said in his message in Nazareth on November 7, 2014:

Inshallah, Jerusalem will soon become capital of the global Caliphate. The Caliphate will spread justice throughout the land, after it was filled with injustice by America, the Zionist enterprise, the Batiniyya, reactionism, paganism, and the Crusaders. Compassion is coming. Justice is coming. World peace is coming. Prosperity is coming. They will come with the imminent Caliphate, the capital of which will be the blessed Jerusalem. (link)

November 11, 2015: The Hurriyet Daily News reports that Turks, this time want this caliphate to be established and headquartered in Jerusalem: During the inauguration of the 55th airport in Hakkari Province, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke of his desire to conquer Jerusalem and to re-establish the Ottoman Empire. (link)

See the following website for more news on Turkey’s plans for Jerusalem: JerusalemCaliphate.org

For his strategy to be most successful, he needed to get God’s people to stop putting out the truth on Daniel 11:40-45. He had to destroy the influence of Uriah Smith’s book, Daniel and the Revelation, which presents the true narrative of Daniel 11:40-45. He had to get God’s people to take up with other interpretations of this prophecy so that the world will believe that Joel Richardson’s narrative is correct when Daniel 11:45 is actually fulfilled.

However, God is bringing back to the forefront our church’s historic view on Daniel 11:45. When the fulfillment of this prophecy takes place, God’s people will be able to provide the correct narrative and tell the world that we have been teaching that this event would take place since 1872.

This is a most serious development that has taken place: The Eastern Question in Bible prophecy (Daniel 11:40-45) was first silenced in God’s remnant church. The enemy of truth then raises up a messenger in the Evangelical world who teaches the Eastern Question in Bible prophecy but with a completely false narrative that will prepare the world for his masterful deception—the impersonation of Christ.

Satan’s angels are wise to do evil, and they will create that which some will claim to be advanced light, and will proclaim as new and wonderful ... (Lt. 37, 1894, Jan. 14 to A. T. Jones, in Evangelism, p. 590)

It is time for God’s church to unite together and counteract this work of Satan by reviving the message of the Eastern Question in Bible prophecy that God gave to this church to proclaim to the world.

Statement No. 5

Unity on Daniel 11 is Required

Statement: God not only wants but He requires His church to publicly speak with one voice on the major prophecies of the Bible, of which Daniel 11:40-45 is an important part, seeing that it is a prophecy that is fulfilled at the time of the end and is connected with the close of probation.

Scenario: If a literature evangelist sold the two books that “above all others” are to be given to the people, Daniel and the Revelation and The Great Controversy and then advertised a lecture on Daniel 11:40-45 and those who purchased his books read what Uriah Smith had to say on these verses and the literature evangelist, instead of teaching what was in Daniel and the Revelation, taught a figurative view of these verses, would what he taught undermine confidence in Uriah Smith’s book?

When they read his commentary on chapters 7 and 8, will they believe that he may be wrong on these chapters also? Undermining the prophetic interpretation of chapter 11 undermines confidence in the reliability of all the rest of the prophetic interpretations. It will cause Daniel and the Revelation to be little valued. This is where we are today. We are witnessing the fruit of Louis Were’s work in discrediting the interpretation of Daniel 11:40-45 taught in Daniel and the Revelation.

The prophecies of Daniel 11:40-45 were used in presenting the Eastern Question in Bible prophecy lecture. And because of our extensive public use of these verses, it was necessary for us to speak with one voice regarding their interpretation.

And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. (Revelation 10:11)

It is reasonable to believe that God’s church should be united on what they must prophesy again to the world. God wants us to give the same message when we present prophetic lectures to the world:

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1 Corinthians 1:10)

Although possessing different temperaments and dispositions, they will see eye to eye in all matters of religious belief. They will speak the same things; they will have the same judgment; they will be one in Christ Jesus. (Historical Sketches, p. 124)

God does not require all of us to believe alike; He only requires us to speak alike. Let me support this statement:

I wrote immediately protesting against their doing contrary to the light which God had given us in regard to all differences of opinion ... Even if you are fully convinced that your ideas of doctrines are sound, you do not show wisdom that that difference should be made apparent. (Counsels to Writers and Editors, p. 75)

No one has the right to start out on his own responsibility, and advance ideas in our papers on Bible doctrines, when it is known that others among us hold different opinions on the subject, and that it will create controversy. (Counsels to Writers and Editors, p. 74)

I have no hesitancy in saying you have made a mistake here. You have departed from the positive directions God has given upon this matter, and only harm will be the result. This is not in God’s order. You have now set the example for others to do as you have done, to feel at liberty to put in their various ideas and theories and bring them before the public, because you have done this. This will bring in a state of things that you have not dreamed of.... It is no small matter for you to come out in the Signs as you have done, and God has plainly revealed that such things should not be done. We must keep before the world a united front. Satan will triumph to see differences among Seventh-day Adventists. These questions are not vital points. (Counsels to Writers and Editors, p. 75, 76)

My husband had some ideas on some points differing from the views taken by his brethren. I was shown that however true his views were, God did not call for him to put them in front before his brethren and create differences of ideas. While he might hold these views subordinate himself, once they are made public, minds would seize [upon them], and just because others believed differently would make these differences the whole burden of the message, and get up contention and variance. (Lt. 37, 1887)

James White had a view on Daniel 11:45 differing from his brethren, but neither the world nor the church was to have perceived this difference, because he was to have kept his conflicting views to himself. And when James White violated this principle of action, God gave to Ellen White a message of reproof to give to her husband.

Why did James White have to keep his view to himself and yet Uriah Smith was given freedom to present his view far and wide? This is a very important question. The answer will be extremely instructive for us today.

The reason why was because Uriah Smith’s view was the published view and was being “taught by us as a people” across this land. It was the understanding that had been developed by a group of “able Bible students” who, Ellen White says, thoroughly examined the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, and they were told by her to publish the results of these investigations to the world:

By a thorough investigation of the prophecies we understand where we are in this world’s history; and we know for a certainty that the second coming of Christ is near. The result of these investigations must be brought before the world through the press.… The evidences of our position have been increasing with every year. We have been receiving fresh assurance that we have the truth as revealed in the word of God, that in accepting the third angel’s message we have not given heed to fables, but to the “sure word of prophecy.” We are now living in the full blaze of the light of Bible truth. (Testimonies, vol. 4, 1881, p. 592)

And this book, that put into print these investigations, was to continue presenting these specific prophetic views, for “as long as probationary time shall last.”

The interest in Daniel and the Revelation is to continue as long as probationary time shall last. God used the author of this book as a channel through which to communicate light to direct minds to the truth. Shall we not appreciate this light, which points us to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, our King? (Ms. 174, 1899)

The books Daniel and the Revelation and The Great Controversy are the books which above all others should be in circulation now. Give them to the people. Light and truth they must have. (Ms. 29, 1890)

Ellen White knew that even her book, The Great Controversy, could not take the place of or do the work of Uriah Smith’s book. His book contained invaluable information that was not found in her book:

Everything that can be done should be done to circulate Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation. I know of no other book that can take the place of this one. It is God’s helping hand. (Ms. 76, 1901)

Because Daniel and the Revelation is God’s helping hand and is to be widely circulated, James White was reproved when he publicly presented prophetic views that were contrary to what was in Uriah Smith’s book.

Those who are preparing to enter the ministry, who desire to become successful students of the prophecies, will find Daniel and the Revelation an invaluable help. They need to understand this book. It speaks of past, present, and future, laying out the path so plainly that none need err therein. Those who will diligently study this book will have no relish for the cheap sentiments presented by those who have a burning desire to get out something new and strange to present to the flock of God. The rebuke of God is upon all such teachers. They need that one teach them what is meant by godliness and truth. The great, essential questions which God would have presented to the people are found in Daniel and the Revelation. There is found solid, eternal truth for this time. Everyone needs the light and information it contains. (Ms. 174, 1899)

Can you see just how easy God has made it for us to all speak with one voice on the prophecies of the Bible? God does not want us to be presenting conflicting views. We are required to speak with one voice and what we are to speak to the church or to the public is the prophetic “truth as it has been taught by us as a people.”

Someday we shall see eye to eye. But in the meantime we are to present a united prophetic view, otherwise great harm will result:

We shall see eye to eye erelong, but to become firm and consider it your duty to present your views in decided opposition to the faith or truth, as it has been taught by us as a people, is a mistake, and will result in harm, and only harm, as in the days of Martin Luther. Begin to draw apart and feel at liberty to express your ideas without reference to the views of your brethren, and a state of things will be introduced that you do not dream of....

Now when everything is dissension and strife, there must be decided efforts to handle, [to] publish with pen and voice these things that will reveal only harmony. (Lt. 37, 1887, Feb. 18, to E. J. Waggoner and A. T. Jones)

In summary:

1. God requires His church to present a united message to the world on Bible doctrines and prophecies.

2. On account of the reproof James White received from God when he presented a view contrary to Uriah Smith’s view on Daniel 11, we are thereby instructed as to the view God wants His church to present to the world.

3. Because interest in Uriah Smith’s book is to remain until the close of probation and because we are prohibited from presenting contradictory views to the public, prophetic views that conflict with the prophetic interpretations published in Daniel and the Revelation are not to be presented by voice or pen.

4. God desires to reveal advanced light on the prophecies: “But very erroneous work has been done again and again, and will continue to be done by those who seek to find new light in the prophecies, and who begin by turning away from the light that God has already given.” (Ms. 32, 1896)

New light on Daniel 11:40-45 should not contradict or set aside the light that God gave to our church from that “thorough investigation of the prophecies” which took place from 1862-1872.

In 1905, Ellen White wrote:

And the standard-bearers who have fallen in death are to speak through the re-printing of their writings. I am instructed that thus their voices are to be heard. They are to bear their testimony as to what constitutes the truth for this time. (Lt. 329, 1905)

What is the truth for this time on Daniel 11:40-45? The answer will be found in the majority pioneer view documented in the writings of the standard-bearers.

Statement No. 6

Matters of Minor Importance May Need Correction

Statement: Ellen White said, in regard to our important books, that “... there may be found matters of minor importance that call for careful study and correction.” Most would agree that changing the interpretation of Daniel 11:40-45 from a “literal Turkey view” to a “spiritual Papal view” would not qualify as a matter of minor importance.

I would assert that the published interpretation of Daniel 11:40-45 (the Eastern Question), as presented in Uriah Smith’s book, Daniel and the Revelation, is not a matter of minor importance. Therefore, according to the Lord’s instruction to Ellen White, there should be no proposals entertained to make sweeping changes to this interpretation:

In some of our important books that have been in print for years, and which have brought many to a knowledge of the truth, there may be found matters of minor importance that call for careful study and correction. Let such matters be considered by those regularly appointed to have the oversight of our publications. Let not these brethren, nor our canvassers, nor our ministers magnify these matters in such a way as to lessen the influence of these good soul-saving books.... Satan and all his hosts are on the battlefield. The enemy of our souls has acted the part of a busy agent in presenting the thought that many of our books now in print are in need of general revision. He would be glad to have our brethren receive the impression that many changes must be made. He would delight to insinuate questioning and doubt into the minds of many of our people. (Ms. 11, 1910, July 31)

I have been instructed that the Lord is not the author of the proposal to make many changes in books already published. If information regarding this sort of work, even as regards the few instances where revisions are needed, should become widespread, seeds of doubt would spring up in many minds. Satan would be busy at work implanting seeds of distrust and unbelief, and it would require much labor to remedy the evil that would be wrought. (Lt. 70, 1910)

We as a church have not followed this instruction. To remove the Eastern Question in Bible prophecy from our public discourse and replace it with a variety of other conflicting messages is tantamount to making a major change in our books already published. We have discredited the Eastern Question and this has led to seeds of doubt regarding Uriah Smith’s book to spring up in many minds. The following is just one of many testimonies that could be cited:

January 7, 2019

Pastor John, I have struggled to understand Daniel 11 for years. I had never considered Uriah Smith’s book. Everywhere I went, Smith’s view was always met with contempt. As a result of this I never took the Eastern Question seriously. Watching the lectures at the Berrien Springs Daniel 11 Seminar late last year had an impact on me. It led me on a journey to restudy the Eastern Question. My views are now settled. There exists no more confusion in my mind about these prophecies. I am in full harmony with Smith’s views. Understanding Daniel 11 has changed the way that I understand the Bible. I feel that for the first time, I understand the rules of interpretation adopted by our pioneers and their importance. Thank you.

How can we remove the contempt that many have for Uriah Smith’s book, of which it is written, “The interest in Daniel and the Revelation is to continue as long as probationary time shall last” (Ms. 174, 1899)?

As I see it, the only way that interest can be restored is for God’s church to cease undermining confidence in the interpretation of the prophecies that this book presents.

Ellen White’s Endorsements for Daniel and The Revelation:

Daniel and Revelation, Great Controversy, Patriarchs and Prophets, and Desire of Ages should now go to the world. The grand instruction contained in Daniel and Revelation has been eagerly perused by many in Australia. This book has been the means of bringing many precious souls to a knowledge of the truth. Everything that can be done should be done to circulate Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation. I know of no other book that can take the place of this one. It is God’s helping hand. (Ms. 76, 1901)

The interest in Daniel and the Revelation is to continue as long as probationary time shall last. God used the author of this book as a channel through which to communicate light to direct minds to the truth. Shall we not appreciate this light, which points us to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, our King? (Ms. 174, 1899)

The books Daniel and Revelation and The Great Controversy are the books which above all others should be in circulation now. Give them to the people. Light and truth they must have. (Ms. 29, 1890)

In the Desire of Ages, Patriarchs and Prophets, and in Daniel and the Revelation, there is precious instruction. These books must be regarded as of special importance, and every effort should be made to get them to the people. (Lt. 229, 1903)

The light given was that Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation, The Great Controversy, and Patriarchs and Prophets, would make their way. They contain the very message the people must have, the special light God had given His people. The angels of God would prepare the way for these books in the hearts of the people. (Lt. 43, 1899)

Especially should the book Daniel and the Revelation be brought before people as the very book for this time. This book contains the message which all need to read and understand. Translated into many different languages, it will be a power to enlighten the world. This book has had a large sale in Australia and New Zealand. By reading it many souls have come to a knowledge of the truth. I have received many letters expressing appreciation of this book. (Ms. 174, 1899)

Those who are preparing to enter the ministry, who desire to become successful students of the prophecies, will find Daniel and the Revelation an invaluable help. They need to understand this book. It speaks of past, present, and future, laying out the path so plainly that none need err therein. Those who will diligently study this book will have no relish for the cheap sentiments presented by those who have a burning desire to get out something new and strange to present to the flock of God. The rebuke of God is upon all such teachers. They need that one teach them what is meant by godliness and truth. The great, essential questions which God would have presented to the people are found in Daniel and the Revelation. There is found solid, eternal truth for this time. Everyone needs the light and information it contains. (Ms. 174, 1899)

I consider that that book [Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation] should go everywhere. (Lt. 25a, 1889)

Mission of the Daniel 2 Image Pocketbook

“And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.” Revelation 10:11.

The Daniel pocketbook is a 32-page pocket-sized booklet which presents commentary on Daniel 2 along with the last six verses of Daniel 11. It is commentary that has been revised and condensed from Uriah Smith’s book, Daniel and the Revelation.

This booklet has been designed to distribute to the public when displaying a replica of a Daniel 2 image. Recently, a 36-foot replica was chainsaw-carved from a Redwood tree (D2image.com). This carved image is what is pictured on the cover of the pocketbook. 3-d printed replicas of the Daniel 2 image will be available in various sizes. A desktop size can be used to create interest in prophecy at your office. When questions are asked, the Daniel booklet can be offered. An 8-foot replica can be used at fairs, etc. and as people walk by, this booklet can be offered. We have been told that this method of outreach will be used in the closing work:

The rise and fall of the four universal kingdoms that were to precede “God’s Everlasting Kingdom,” was illustrated in a very impressive manner, by the aid of a carved image, representing the one described in Daniel 2:32, 33.—HST May 29, 1844, p. 135.

I am pleased with the manner in which our brother [Elder S] has used his ingenuity and tact in providing suitable illustrations for the subjects presented—representations that have a convincing power. Such methods will be used more and more in this closing work.—Ms. 105, 1906.

The labors of Elder S remind me of the labors put forth in 1842 to 1844…He has large lifelike representations of the beasts and symbols in Daniel and the Revelation.—Evangelism, 204-205.

The mission of these Daniel 2 image replicas is to get into the hands of the curious this Daniel pocketbook. And the mission of this pocketbook is to create interest in Uriah Smith’s book, Daniel and the Revelation, and The Great Controversy by Ellen White.

The interest in Daniel and the Revelation is to continue as long as probationary time shall last. God used the author of this book as a channel through which to communicate light to direct minds to the truth. Shall we not appreciate this light, which points us to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, our King?—Ms. 174, 1899.

The books Daniel and Revelation and The Great Controversy are the books which above all others should be in circulation now. Give them to the people. Light and truth they must have. I entreat of the people whom I address to get the very books before the people that the Lord has signified they should have, and may the Lord arouse men bearing responsibilities to clear the King’s highway in the place of blocking the road.—Ms. 29a, 1890.

We may not be able to afford to give out to the masses these two large volumes for free, but we can afford to give out this pocketbook that promotes these two books and provides a link where e-book versions can be downloaded for free.

Now, if you are not quite sure about the validity of Uriah Smith’s interpretation of Daniel 11, you are encouraged to read the books, Unholy War, Eastern Question Answered, and Jerusalem Caliphate and the Third Jihad, which are all available as free downloads at: ThirdWoe.com or at JerusalemCaliphate.org

For information about obtaining cases of this pocketbook and Daniel 2 images of various sizes, contact Prophecy Waymarks Publications at: prophecywaymarks@gmail.com

Jerusalem Caliphate and the Third Jihad was written for the purpose of promoting the circulation of Uriah Smith’s book—Daniel and the Revelation. Both books are available at Amazon.com in paperback and e-Book format or they can be both be downloaded for free at: JerusalemCaliphate.org