The Whirlwind

What symbolism does “whirlwind” have in scripture? We are most interested in what it means here in Daniel 11:40.

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, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
Daniel 11:40

So what does it mean, “like a whirlwind?” Look at this verse which is very similar.

For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many.
Isaiah 66:15

Wow! Isn’t that verse fascinating. It is clear that we are talking about God here. And how do we describe His arrival? With fire and chariots like a whirlwind. Doesn’t that sound so similar to Daniel 11:40. It sounds to me like the king of the north is tying to act just like God.

Take special notice of this next one. Here is Elijah being taken up to Heaven, a miniature representation of the Second Coming.

And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
2 Kings 2:11

And look at Ezekiel chapter 1.

4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.

Verses 5-25 describe the angles as part of the throne of God. Then look ahead to verse 26.

26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.

27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.

28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

Jesus is here pictured on a throne coming out of the North. The whirlwind always seems to be connected to God, or his chosen instrument.

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said.
Job 38:1

Behold, a whirlwind of the Lord is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.
Jeremiah 23:19

Behold, the whirlwind of the Lord goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.
Jeremiah 30:23

The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
Nahum 1:3

Did you read that last one? “The Lord hath his way in the whirlwind.” The whirlwind is a strong Biblical symbol for God, especially for His “showing up” or “arriving.”