The Southern King Moved with Choler - Daniel 11:11

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him, “the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land. But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress”, and in chapter eleven and verse eleven of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him” where we read,

And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.

The verse reads, “And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, …” Daniel began with the words, “and the king” or “and the royal ruler and leader” “of the south” which means “pertaining to the southern direction” “shall be moved with choler” or “will be enraged and embittered”, “and shall come forth” which means “and will arise, depart and proceed” “and fight with him” or “and make war and do battle with the king of the north”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the royal ruler in the southern direction will respond to the attack of the king of the north by being excited and moved with anger, and he would arise to do battle with the king of the north.

The verse goes on to say, “… even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.” Daniel continued with the words, “even with the king of the north” or “indeed and also with the royal ruler and leader pertaining to the northern direction”: “and he shall set forth a great multitude” which means “and he, the king of the north, will take a stand, endure and remain with an abundant, numerous and massive crowd”; “but the multitude” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the abundant, numerous and massive crowd” “shall be given into his hand” which means “will be put, set, granted and bestowed in the power, might and authority of his, the king of the north’s, hand”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the royal ruler within the southern direction will take a stand accompanied by a massive crowd, however, they would all be defeated by the king of the north. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover through Daniel how the battle was to continue between the “kings” of the north and the south, and after being put to flight, the king in the southern direction will rally in opposition to the massive forces assembled by the king of the north. David Guzik wrote, “The king of the South shall be moved with rage: The angel told Daniel that the king of the South would attack and meet a great multitude of soldiers from the king of the North. The king of the North would lose in battle and his multitude would be defeated. He will not prevail: This was fulfilled when Antiochus III was defeated at the battle of Raphia. Because of that loss he was forced to give back dominion over the Holy Land to Ptolemy IV.” God knew all these battles would ensue, and because he was in control of all of them, He easily shared this information with Gabriel who relayed it to Daniel. We have the benefit of knowing the fulfillment of these prophesies today, and because they all lead to God sending His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raising Him from the dead after three days. God’s effort to redeem us is complete when we yield our lives to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, and when we receive Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us so we may be assured that He knows and is in control of all the leaders and nations in the world. 

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel told him, “when he has taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

The King of the South in His Kingdom - Daniel 11:9

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared about rulers in the future, and among them he spoke of a woman who, “out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail. And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north”, and in chapter eleven and verse nine of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel told him about, “the king of the south shall come into his kingdom” where we read,

So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.

The verse reads, “So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, …” Daniel began with the words, “so the king” or “wherefore, then, therefore and on this account the royal ruler and leader” “of the south” which means “belonging to the southern direction” “shall come into his kingdom” or “will be brought and lead into his, the king of the south’s, royal rule and reign”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the royal ruler in the southern direction would enter his royal reign. 

The verse goes on to say, “… and shall return into his own land.” Daniel continued with the words, “and shall return” or “and will go back” “into his own land” which means “in his, the royal ruler’s, own personal land”. Daniel shared how the relative of the daughter of the south, who became the ruler there, would go back to his own personal ground, territory, region and country. 

When we consider Daniel’s words in this verse, we discover how Gabriel told him the relative of the daughter of the king of the south who became the ruler there would go back to his own country after defeating the king of the north. Matthew Henry wrote, “he shall be forced to come into his kingdom and return into his own land, to keep peace there, so that he can no longer carry on the war abroad. Note, It is very common for a treacherous peace to end in a bloody war.” We can imagine Daniel’s demeanor as he was being told all these things, but for him, they were to be carried out in the future. For us, we have the benefit of looking back at history to see that every word of this prophecy was fulfilled. Because God is omniscient, He knows the past, present and future all at the same time, and His desire is to bring us into a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of everyone and was resurrected from the dead after three days. When we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all truth, even that of the future, so we may live pleasing to Him in advance of meeting Him face to face. 

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel told him, “his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Sons Stirred Up - Daniel 11:10

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him, “the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land”, and in chapter eleven and verse ten of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces” where we read,

But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress.

The verse reads, “But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces:” Daniel began with the words, “but his sons” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover his, the royal leader who was in the north’s, male offspring and progeny” “shall be stirred up” which means “will be engaged and excited”, “and shall assemble a multitude” or “and will collect and gather together an abundant crowd” “of great forces” which means “pertaining to abounding, numerous and an exceeding amount of powerful, strong and efficient military men”. Daniel shared how the offspring of the “king of the north” would gather together a numerous amount of military powers.

The verse continues, “and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress.” Daniel added the words, “and one shall certainly come” or “and a particular person will indeed enter and be enumerated”, “and overflow” which means “and wash, rinse, engulf and inundate”, “and pass through” or “and march over or traverse”: “then shall he return” which means “at that time will he, the one who certainly comes, go back”, “and be stirred up” or “and be engaged and excited”, “even to his fortress” which means “indeed and also to his, the one who certainly comes’, place of safety, protection, stronghold and refuge”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told the the “one who certainly comes” will not only engulf and march over his enemies, but will afterward go back to his place of refuge and safety. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Gabriel told him the offspring of the “king of the north” would become excited and gather together a massive number of troops, and a particular one would arise, engulf and march over their enemy. Afterward he would go back to his stronghold. Matthew Henry wrote, “Seleucus the elder, being weak, and unable to rule his army, was poisoned by his friends, and reigned only two years; and his brother Antiochus succeeded him, who reigned thirty-seven years, and was called the Great. And therefore the angel, though he speaks of sons at first, goes on with the account of one only, who was but fifteen years old when he began to reign, and he shall certainly come, and overflow, and over-run, and shall be restored at length to what his father lost.” Each of these rulers were given their kingdoms and reign by Jehovah God, and they were ruling for a limited time. God also gives us places of authority and rule, and they also are for a temporary amount of time. Because God is eternal and has always been and always will be, He sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind which separated us from Him. He raised Jesus from the dead after three days so when we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us so we may continue in a relationship with Him for all eternity. 

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel told him, “the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Carrying Captives into Egypt - Daniel 11:8

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those. And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion. And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times. But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail”, and in chapter eleven and verse eight of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel told him about carrying, “captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold” where we read,

And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.

The verse reads, “And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold;” Daniel began with the words, “and shall also carry captives” or “and will even so and indeed lead and bring prisoners” “into Egypt” which means “in Egypt whose name means land of the Copts and is a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows” “their gods” or “their, the king of the north’s, deities”, “with their princes” which means “alongside and accompanying their, the king of the north’s, rulers, leaders libations, molten images and dukes”, “and with their precious vessels” or “and alongside and accompanying their, the king of the north’s, desirable, pleasant and delightful implements, articles and utensils ” “of silver and of gold” which means “pertaining of silver metal and gold metal”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the relative of the king’s daughter in the south would lead prisoners into “Egypt” along with their deities, their rulers and their valuable and pleasant implements and utensils made with silver and gold metal. 

The verse continues, “and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.” Daniel added the words, “and he shall continue more years” or “and he, the relative of the daughter of the king of the south, will remain, endure and take his stand for a longer set of annual days” “than the king” which means “compared to the royal ruler and leader” “of the north” or “belonging to the northern direction and kingdom”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him not only would the relative of the daughter of the south conquer the king of the north, but he would also lead prisoners back into “Egypt” along with their deities, rulers and implements made with silver and gold metal and would remain in power for a longer time than the king of the north.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through shared how Gabriel told him not only would the relative of the daughter of the south conquer the king of the north, but he would also lead prisoners back into “Egypt” along with their deities, rulers and implements made with silver and gold metal. He would remain in power for a longer time than the king of the north, even as Matthew Henry wrote, “Ptolemaeus Euergetes, the son and successor of Ptolemaeus Philadelphus, shall come with an army against Seleucus Callinicus, king of Syria, to avenge his sister's quarrel, and shall prevail; and he shall carry away a rich booty both of persons and goods into Egypt, and shall continue more years than the king of the north. This Ptolemy reigned forty-six years; and Justin says that if his own affairs had not called him home he would, in this war, have made himself master of the whole kingdom of Syria.” God easily relayed these prophetic facts to Daniel through Gabriel, and when we look back at history, we see how the words given to Daniel were fulfilled,. In the same manner our future is known by God. Because of our sin, God knows we will all perish if we do not have a “Savior” to rescue us. For this reason He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He raised Him from the dead after three days so when we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and secure our future through the power of His Holy Spirit who will enter us as we put our faith and trust in Him.

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel told him, “the king of the south shall come into his kingdom”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

One Standing Up in His Estate - Daniel 11:7

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those. And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion. And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times”, and in chapter eleven and verse seven of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel told him, “out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate” where we read,

But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail:

The verse reads, “But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, …” Daniel began with the words, “but out of a branch” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover from a sprout, shoot or descendant” “of her roots” which means “belonging to her, the king of the south’s daughter, relatives” “shall one stand up” or “will a particular one be erected, appointed and established” “in his estate” which means “within his, the branch of her root’s, office, place and station”, “which shall come” or “who will arise and enter” “with an army” which means “alongside and accompanying a strong, mighty and efficient force and band of fighting men”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him a relative of the daughter of the king of the south would rise to power and with a powerful fighting force which would do the following. 

The verse goes on to say, “… and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail:” Daniel continued with the words, “and shall enter into the fortress” or “and will come into the place of safety, refuge and protection” “of the king” which means “belonging to the royal ruler and leader” “of the north” or “pertaining to the northern direction”, “and shall deal against them” which means “and will work, produce and fight in opposition to them, the people of the north and his subjects”, ”and shall prevail” or “and will triumph and be victorious”. Daniel shared how Gabriel said this relative of the daughter of the south would take his “army” and attack the king of the north in his place of refuge and safety and would triumph over and defeat them. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel that Gabriel told him another ruler would rise who would be a relative of the daughter of the king of the south. This ruler, Ptolemy III, who was the brother of Bernice who was the daughter of the king of the south, rose to avenge the murder of his sister by invading Syria, the king of the north Selecus II, and prevailed. Once again these were to be future events for Daniel to know, but we have hindsight to see theses prophesies were fulfilled. God gave Gabriel the message, and he in turn shared it with Daniel. Daniel wrote these things down, and we are reading and studying them today. That’s because God wants us to know Him in a personal way, and we gain access to Him when we receive His Son Jesus as our “Savior and Lord” who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we submit to Him, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to have Divine knowledge concerning what He knows about our past, present and future as well as His plans for the world. 

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel told him about carrying, “captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Joining Themselves Together - Daniel 11:6

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him, “a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those. And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion”, and in chapter eleven and verse six of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel told him, “in the end of years they shall join themselves together” where we read,

And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.

The verse reads, “And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement:” Daniel began with the words, “and in the end of the years” or “and within the completion and finish pertaining to the annual sets of days” “they shall join themselves together” which means “they, will unite, be joined with one another and become allies”; “for the king’s daughter” or “on behalf of the royal ruler’s, female offspring and progeny” “of the south” which means “belonging to the southern direction” “shall come to the king of the north” or “will come forth to the royal ruler and leader belonging to the northern direction” “to make an agreement” which means “to accomplish, fashion, make and produce and alliance, evenness, straightness and equity”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him that some “years” later there would exist an alliance between the “king of the north” and the “king of the south”, and the female progeny belonging to the “king of the south” will “marry” the  “king of the north” to secure the pact and union between them. 

The verse continues, “but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.” Daniel added the words, “but she shall not retain the power” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover she, the daughter of the king of the south, will in no way or manner withhold, stay or be under restraint toward the might, strength and ability” “of the arm” which means “belonging to the forearm, shoulder or force”; “neither shall he stand” or “no and not in any way will he, the official of the king of the north, remain or endure”, “nor his arm” which means “nor his, forearm, shoulder or force”: ”but she shall be given up” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover she, the daughter of the king of the south will be yielded, delivered and appointed”, “and they that brought her” which means “and they, the people who carried forth and presented her, the daughter of the king of the south”, “and he that begat her” or “and he, who engendered and birthed her”, “and he that strengthened her” which means “and he, who made her, the daughter of the king of the south, firm, strong and resolute” “in these arms” or “within these forearms, shoulders or forces”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the alliance would not last between the daughter of the king of the south and the king of the north nor their might and power, however, the one who engendered her, the king of the south, will make her strong during this time. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel about an alliance that was formed between the king of the south and the king of the north, however, this was a weak agreement that did not last. Matthew Henry wrote, "about seventy years after Alexander's death, the Lagidae and the Seleucidae shall associate, but not in sincerity. Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt, shall marry his daughter Berenice to Antiochus Theos, king of Syria," who had already a wife called Laodice. "Berenice shall come to the king of the north, to make an agreement, but it shall not hold: She shall not retain the power of the arm; neither she nor her posterity shall establish themselves in the kingdom of the north, neither shall Ptolemy her father, nor Antiochus her husband (between whom there was to be a great alliance), stand, nor their arm, but she shall be given up and those that brought her," all that projected that unhappy marriage between her and Antiochus, which occasioned so much mischief, instead of producing a coalition between the northern and southern crowns, as was hoped. Antiochus divorced Berenice, took his former wife Laodice again, who soon after poisoned him, procured Berenice and her son to be murdered, and set up her own son by Antiochus to be king, who was called Seleucus Callinicus.” In other words, power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. God was aware of all these things that were yet to be in Daniel’s time, but because He can speak of the future as though it is now, He could relay this message through Gabriel and to Daniel. In like manner, God wants us to be in a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and when we put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us through His Holy Spirit to trust Him with our future and with the future of the world. 

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel told him, “out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".