Who are the kings of the north and south in the bible?

Answer 1

Daniel tells us that the setting of this "vision" is at the "time of the end":

"And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind..." (Dan.11:40).

Jesus Christ tells us that Great Tribulation [distress] will come upon the world at this same time of the end [the time just before He returns to earth with the Kingdom of God -- Matt.24]... because there can't be "two" times of the end.

Revelation reveals that Satan will give power to the "Beast" at that time [the final resurrection of the Roman Empire; Daniel's fourth beast -- Dan.7].

The "north" is probably the European continent... where the Roman Empire ruled [at one time, from the Atlantic to the Urals, beyond Moscow]. And the "king of the north" will most likely be the "Beast."

South of Europe is Africa and the Middle Eastern nations... predominantly composed of the Muslim religion.

It's the nations of this "region south of Europe" where the king of the north shall invade "like a whirlwind" against the king of the south... and occupy it: Edom [Turkey], Moab [Iraq], Ammon [Jordan], Egypt -- [Dan.11:41-43].

The Muslim nations have not displayed much "unification" in their political dealings in the world. "One leader" has not come forward yet, to speak for all of them.

So, as of now... neither a "king of the north" nor a "king of the south" has emerged on the world scene. Mainly because the Great Tribulation is not yet upon us. The world hasn't experienced that kind of distress, yet; the total breakdown of society as we know it.

However... it all can come crashing down around us at any time, given the present global economy... Europe's present plight... and a militant suicidal Islamic presence in the world actively seeking nuclear weaponry.

Meanwhile, in the "south"... one by one, Muslim nations are protesting against their present regimes [Egypt, Libya, etc] and more and more radical Muslim regimes are replacing them. From this environment, the prophesied "king of the south" will most likely emerge as the Great Tribulation looms closer.

Daniel's "vision" reveals "three" main world powers at the "end time": the king of the north, the king of the south -- and "something" northeast of Jerusalem [verse 44] that "troubles" the king of the north following his occupation of the "south" [Middle East]. This is probably "China" or "Russia"... or a "Sino-Russian" coalition force marching toward Jerusalem, where the Beast will set up his headquarters in the "glorious land" [verse 45].

Daniel's "vision" tells us that this is when the Beast will "come to his end" [verse 45] -- which Revelation tells us will be "his capture by the returning Jesus Christ" who will cast him into the Lake of Fire:

"...the Beast was taken, and with him the False Prophet... These both were cast alive into a Lake of Fire burning with brimstone." (Rev.19:20)

The "king of the north and south" are not yet revealed to us... but:

"Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the Day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that Day will NOT COME UNTIL the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness [the king of the north] is revealed..." (II Thess.2:1-3 NIV).

So, we don't know who these two "kings" are, yet.

"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation [the pursuit of physical pleasures, wasting time], drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and the Day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:34-36 NIV)