The Word for Today with Ray

Monday, February 9, 2026

The King of Greece - Daniel 8:21

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said Gabriel spoke to him, and “as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. And he said, Behold, I will make you know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. The ram which you saw having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia” in chapter eight and verse twenty-one of his book, Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “the rough goat is the king of Grecia” where we read,

And the rough goat is the king of Grecia:

and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.

The verse reads, “And the rough goat is the king of Grecia:” Daniel began with the words, “and the rough goat” or “and the shaggy, bristly, hairy, fierce and unstoppable goat animal” “is the king” which means “exists as the royal ruler and leader” “of Grecia” or “belonging to Greece whose name means the land of the Greeks”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the “shaggy and fierce” “goat” represented the royal ruler of Greece.

The verse continues, “and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.” Daniel added the words, “and the great horn” or “and the immense, unparalleled, dominant and significant protrusion” “that is between his eyes” which means “that existed in the middle of the goat’s physical eyes” “is the first king” or “exists as the initial royal ruler and leader”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him that the significant protrusion in the middle of the “goat’s” physical eyes existed as the initial royal ruler within Greece.

When we consider Daniel’s words in this verse, we discover how Gabriel continued to share the meaning of the “vision” given to him. The “shaggy and fierce” “goat” represented Greece, and the significant protrusion in the middle of the “goat’s” physical eyes represented Greece's initial royal ruler who was Alexander the Great. God knew all these things, and He revealed them to Gabriel who made them known to Daniel. Daniel wrote them down, and we are able to read and study His words to this day. This is because God loves us, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died upon the cross and was raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide us with His Holy Spirit who will give us assurance that God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent and nothing is unknown to Him.

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel said “four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation”, 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 Two Kings of Media and Persia - Daniel 8:20

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said Gabriel spoke to him, and “as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. And he said, Behold, I will make you know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty of his book, Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “the ram which you saw having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia” where we read,

The ram which you saw having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.

The verse reads, “The ram which you saw having two horns … ” Daniel began with the words, “the ram which you saw” or “the ram animal that you, Daniel, discerned, noticed and observed” “having two horns” which means “which possessed two protrusions” is as follows. Daniel shared how Gabriel referred to the “ram” animal with two protrusions that he observed in his “vision”.

The verse goes on to say, “… are the kings of Media and Persia.” Daniel continued with the words, “are the kings” or “exist as the royal rulers and leaders” “of Media” which means “belonging to Media whose name means middle land and was a people ascended from the son of Japheth and who inhabited the territory of Media” “and Persia” or “and Persia whose name means pure or splendid and was known as the empire Persia which encompassed the territory from India on the east to Egypt and Thrace on the west, and included, besides portions of Europe and Africa, the whole of western Asia between the Black Sea, the Caucasus, the Caspian and the Jaxartes on the north, the Arabian desert, the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean on the south”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the “ram” with “two horns” represented the two royal rulers of “Media and Persia”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Gabriel told him what the “ram with two horns” in his vision represented. The royal rulers of “Media and Persia” were the “two protrusions” that proceeded from the head of the “ram”, and because the Bible is the best interpreter of the Bible, we know this to be true. We have seen this illustrated to Daniel before, (See Daniel 2; 7; 8:3) however God wanted Daniel to be assured of this message. God knew the future then, and He knows it now. He knows that every person has sin in their lives that separates them from a personal relationship with Him, (See Romans 3:10;23) and those sins lead to death. (See Romans 6:23) For this reason, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to “die” on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us assurance through His Holy Spirit that He knows the future of the world and our future as well.

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel said “the rough goat is the king of Grecia”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Gabriel Makes Daniel Know - Daniel 8:19

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision. Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright” and in chapter eight and verse nineteen of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “I will make you know what shall be in the last end of the indignation” where we read,

And he said, Behold, I will make you know what shall be in the last end of the indignation:

for at the time appointed the end shall be.

The verse reads, “And he said, Behold, I will make you know what shall be in the last end of the indignation:” Daniel began with the words, “and he said” or “and he, Gabriel, uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “behold” which means “lo, look and consider”, “I will make you know” or “I, Gabriel, shall cause you, Daniel to perceive, discern and understand” “what shall be in the last end” which means “that which will happen within the after part, latter time and future” “of the indignation” or “pertaining to the anger, displeasure and rage”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him that he would cause him to discern and understand that which will exist within the latter time of the rage and displeasure.

The verse continues, “for at the time appointed the end shall be.” Daniel added the words, “for at the time appointed” or “because, since and on account that at the fixed season” “the end shall be” which means “the completion, extremity, process and finite time will exist”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the “fixed and appointed time” of the completion shall exist.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover through Daniel how Gabriel told him what was to happen in the latter time and what will occur the appointed time and completion of things. God knows all things. He is omniscient, and He is well aware of the future and the latter times. He desires a personal intimate relationship that puts trust in Him, and because He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, we may be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and encouraged by His Holy Spirit to trust in with our own lives and with what will happen in the future.

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel said “The ram which you saw having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Daniel in a Deep Sleep - Daniel 8:18

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision” in chapter eight and verse eighteen of his book Daniel said, “as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground” where we read,

Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground:

but he touched me, and set me upright.

The verse reads, “Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground:” Daniel began with the words, “now as he was speaking with me” or “at the time he, Gabriel, was conversing and making declarations with me, Daniel”, “I was in a deep sleep” which means “I, Daniel, was within a fast and heavy sleep” “on my face” or “upon my, Daniel’s, forefront of his head or face” “toward the ground” which means “to the earth”. Daniel shared how he was fast asleep with his face toward the earth while Gabriel was conversing with him.

The verse goes on to say, “but he touched me, and set me upright.” Daniel continued with the words, “but he touched me” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover he, Gabriel, reached, applied and aroused me, Daniel”, “and set me upright” which means “me, Daniel, to stand to a risen position”. Daniel shared how Gabriel aroused him and stood him up.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how he was in a deep sleep with his “face” toward the earth when Gabriel was conversing with him, so Gabriel aroused him and stood him upon his feet. God used Gabriel to talk with Daniel, and because He wanted Daniel to know what his “vision” meant, God caused Gabriel to put him in a position to learn. God will do the same with us because we must be “aroused” concerning the sin, error and wrong that is in our lives before we will receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross and was resurrected from the grave after three days as our “Savior and Lord”. When we put our faith and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and gain our attention so we may be instructed by His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth. (See Proverbs 6:9-10; John 16:13; Ephesians 5:14)

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel said “I will make you know what shall be in the last end of the indignation”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Gabriel Comes Near to Daniel - Daniel 8:17

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision” in chapter eight and verse seventeen of his book Daniel said about Gabriel, “he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face” where we read,

So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face:

but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.

The verse reads, “So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face:” Daniel began with the words, “so he came near where I stood” or “therefore, then and on this account he, Gabriel, approached the place that I, Daniel, was standing, erected and fixed in place”: “and when he came” which means “and at the time and moment he, Gabriel, approached”, “I was afraid” or “I, Daniel, existed as startled, terrified and fearful”, “and fell upon my face” which means “and dropped down on his face to the ground and prostrated himself”. Daniel shared how he was terrified when Gabriel approached him, and he prostrated himself before him.

The verse continues, “but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.” Daniel added the words, “but he said unto me” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover he, Gabriel, uttered, declared and proclaimed to me, Daniel”, “understand” which means “discern, consider, be instructed and know”, “O son of man” or “O offspring and progeny belonging to a male human being”: “for at the time of the end” which means “because, since and on account that at the period and season belonging to the completion of definite time” “shall be the vision” or “will exist the mental imagery and appearance”. Daniel shared how Gabriel instructed him to know that the “vision” he received was for the end times.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Gabriel approached him, and Daniel immediately prostrated himself before him. While he was on his “face”, Gabriel encouraged him to know that the mental imagery he saw was for the completion of time. In other words, it was for the future. We shall learn more about what Gabriel said to Daniel in our next few verses, but for now let us be mindful that God gave Gabriel this mission to Daniel, and Daniel wrote it down so we would know it as well. God wants us to “understand” that He is in control of all the workings and acts of men, and because He knew we would never be able to live eternally with Him on account of the sin in our lives, He sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the “understanding” of His Holy Spirit that all things and “times” are seen and accountable to Him.

Next time Daniel says, “as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Sunday, February 8, 2026

Daniel Seeking the Meaning of the Vision - Daniel 8:16

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man”, and in chapter eight and verse sixteen of his book Daniel says, “I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai” where we read,

And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said,

Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

The verse reads, “And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, …” Daniel began with the words, “and I heard a man’s voice” or “and I, Daniel, perceived, discerned, noticed and was given the ability to hear a male human being’s noise and sound of uttered words” “between the banks of Ulai” which means “in the midst and middle of the two sides belonging to the Ulai whose name mean my leaders (mighties) and was the river of Elam”, “which called” or “who cried out and uttered a loud sound”, “and said” which means and uttered, declared and proclaimed the following words. Daniel shared how he was given the ability to hear a male human being’s sound of uttered words who cried out and uttered the following words.

The verse continues, “… Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.” Daniel added the word, “Gabriel” or “warrior of God or man of God who is an archangel; the angel God used to send messages of great importance to man; sent to Daniel, to Zacharias, and to Mary”, “make this man to understand” which means “cause this male human being, Daniel, to discern, perceive and have insight toward” “the vision” or “the mental imagery and appearance”. Daniel said the “man’s voice” cried out to the angel “Gabriel” to cause him to perceive and have insight into the mental imagery he was given.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how he perceived the sound of a man’s “voice” in the middle of the “Ulia or Elam” river who called out and gave instruction to “Gabriel” to cause Daniel to discern the meaning of the “mental imagery” given to him. We shall learn what “Gabriel” tells Daniel in our next few verses, but for now let us remember that Jehovah God knew everything that was happening and will happen to mankind. His purpose and resolve is to offer salvation to every person through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of the world and was raised 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 teach us by His Holy Spirit the value of knowing He has times, seasons and people within His control.

Next time Daniel says, “he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Daniel Seeking the Meaning of the Vision - Daniel 8:15

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spoke, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed”, and in chapter eight and verse fifteen of his book Daniel said, “when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning” where we read,

And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.

The verse reads, “And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, …” Daniel began with the words, “and it came to pass” or “and the following happened and occurred”, “when I” which means “at the time and moment I, Daniel”, “even I Daniel” or “indeed I, Daniel whose name means God is my judge”, “had seen the vision” which means “noticed, discerned, perceived and observed the mental appearance and sighting”, “and sought for the meaning” or “and desired, requested and looked on behalf of the rendering and interpretation”. Daniel said following his observance of this “mental imagery” he desired to know the interpretation of it.

The verse goes on to say, “then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.” Daniel continued with the words, “then, behold” or “at that time, lo, look and consider”, “there stood before me” which means “there remained, persisted and was erected in front and in the presence of me, Daniel” “as the appearance of a man” or “similar and in likeness to the sight or visage of a male human being”. Daniel called upon his readers to consider that there was erected the visage of a male human being within his presence.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how he desired to know the interpretation of his “vision” after seeing it, and suddenly a male human form was erected in his presence. We can imagine how frightening this must have been for Daniel, however he was God’s chosen one in whom to reveal His plan. God loves people, and because we “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (See Romans 3:23), He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins. God raised Him from the dead after three days, and when we surrender our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the power of His Holy Spirit not only to be guided into His truth, but also to have the ability to live in it regardless of the circumstances around us.

Next time Daniel says, “I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…