The Abomination that Makes Desolate - Daniel 11:31

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him about battles between the king of the north and the king of the south, and he said of the king of the north, “At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter. For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant”, and in chapter eleven and verse thirty-one of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said the king of the north, “shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that makes desolate” where we read,

And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that makes desolate.

The verse reads, “And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, …” Daniel began with the words, “and arms shall stand on his part” or “and forearms, shoulders and strong forces will remain, endure and hold ground on his behalf”, “and they shall pollute the sanctuary” which means “and they, the strong forces of the flattering king, will profane, desecrate and defile the sacred and holy worship temple” “of strength” or “pertaining to the place of safety, refuge, stronghold and protection”. Daniel shared how Gabriel said the military forces will remain on his side and desecrate and defile the sacred holy temple of God. 

The verse continues, “… and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that makes desolate.” Daniel added the words, “and shall take away” or “and will remove” “the daily sacrifice” which means “the offering of worship that occurs day after day”, “and they shall place” or “and they, the military forces of the flattering king, will put, set, ascribe and dedicate” “the abomination that makes desolation” which means “ the detestable thing or idol that stupefies, appalls, amazes and astonishes”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the military forces of the flattering royal ruler would remove the day by day offering of worship and place a detestable idol that appeals and astonishes within the sacred worship place. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Gabriel told him the military forces of the flattering royal ruler will desecrate the sacred temple of Jehovah God in Jerusalem. He will remove and stop the day by day worship offerings, and put a detestable idol within the temple. Matthew Henry wrote, “We read (2 Mac. 4:9) of Jason, the brother of Onias the high priest, who by the appointment of Antiochus set up a school at Jerusalem, for the training up of youth in the fashions of the heathen; and (2 Mac. 4:23, etc.) of Menelaus, who fell in with the interests of Antiochus, and was the man that helped him into Jerusalem, now in his last return from Egypt. We read much in the book of the Maccabees of the mischief done to the Jews by these treacherous men of their own nation, Jason and Menelaus, and their party. These upon all occasions he made use of. "Such as do wickedly against the covenant, such as throw up their religion, and comply with the heathen, he shall corrupt with flatteries, to harden them in their apostasy, and to make use of them as decoys to draw in others," This “abomination of desolation” was spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14 and Luke 21:20 as He spoke of the anti-christ who will appear in the latter days. (See Revelation 13; 17:12) God is well aware of these people and events, and because He wants everyone to live with Him forever, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When He raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way for us through belief and trust in His Son to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will lead and guide us into the truth of His provision and protection even when flattering leaders and the anti-christ comes on the scene. 

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel says the king of the north shall, “do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries”, 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 Ships of Chittim - Daniel 11:30

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him about battles between the king of the north and the king of the south, and he said of the king of the north, “At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter”, and in chapter eleven and verse thirty of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “the ships of Chittim shall come against him” where we read,

For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.

The verse reads, “For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant:” Daniel began with the words, “for the ships of Chittim” or “because, since and on account that the large sailing vessels or boats belonging to Chittim or Kittim whose name means ‘bruisers’ and was a general term for all islanders of the Mediterranean Sea” “shall come against him” which means “will rise up in opposition to him, the flattering king”: “therefore he shall be grieved” or “then, wherefore and on account that he, the flattering king, will exist as disheartened, cowed and sad”, “and return” which means “and go back”, “and have indignation” or “and be angrily defiant, abhorrent and cursing” “against the holy covenant” which means “in opposition to the sacred, pure and set apart agreement, alliance, pledge and treaty”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the large sailing vessels which belonged to “Chittim” will set themselves in opposition to the flattering “king” and would cause him to be disheartened and sad so that he goes back with an angry defiance toward the sacred pledge which was made.

The verse goes on to say, “he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.” Daniel continued with the words, “he shall even return” or “he, the flattering king, will indeed and also go back”, “and have intelligence” which means “and possess discernment, instruction and understanding” “with them that forsake the holy covenant” or “alongside the people who leave, abandon and neglect the sacred, pure and righteous treaty, pledge and alliance”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the flattering royal ruler would go back to his own country and possess an understanding with the people who abandon and neglect the sacred alliance and agreement. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how the flattering ruler will rise up against the kingdom of the south once again, however he will not be as successful as previous times because mighty sailing vessels belonging to “Chittim” will rise in opposition to him. Matthew Henry wrote, “the ships of Chittim shall come against him, that is, the navy of the Romans, or only ambassadors from the Roman senate, who came in ships. Ptolemaeus Philometer, king of Egypt, being now in a strict alliance with the Romans, craved their aid against Antiochus, who had besieged him and his mother Cleopatra in the city of Alexandria. The Roman senate thereupon sent an embassy to Antiochus, to command him to raise the siege, and, when he desired some time to consider of it and consult with his friends about it, Popilius, one of the ambassadors, with his staff drew a circle about him, and told him, as one having authority, he should give a positive answer before he came out of that circle; whereupon, fearing the Roman power, he was forced immediately to give orders for the raising of the siege and the retreat of his army out of Egypt. So Livy and others relate the story which this prophecy refers to. He shall be grieved, and return; for it was a great vexation to him to be forced to yield thus.” God was aware of the thoughts, actions, deeds and emotions of this flattering “king”, and because He rules over all kingdoms and leaders, God could affect Him in any manner He desired. God knows us as well, and because we have sin in our lives that separates us from a personal relationship with Him, He sent His 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 lead and guide us by His Holy Spirit to fully trust Him with the leaders in the world regardless of their behavior and actions among people. 

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel says the king of the north, “shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that makes desolate”, 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".

Returning at the Time Appointed - Daniel 11:29

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him about battles between the king of the north and the king of the south, and he said, “and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him. Yes, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain. And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed. Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land”, and in chapter eleven and verse twenty-nine of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “at the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south” where we read,

At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; 

but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.

The verse reads, “At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south;” Daniel began with the words, “at the time appointed” or “at the set season or time period” “he shall return” which means “he, the flattering king, will go back”, “and come toward the south” or “and be brought into and enter the southern direction”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the flattering royal ruler would go back to the southern direction at the set time period. 

The verse continues, “but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.” Daniel added the words, “but it shall not be” or “however, notwithstanding, nonetheless and moreover it, the return of the flattering king, will not exist” “as the former” which means “similar and in likeness to the first, primary and beforetime”, “or as the latter” or “or similar and in likeness to the subsequent, hindmost and last time period”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him this next time the flattering “king” entered the southern direction would not exist in likeness to the time before or the last time.  

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Gabriel let him know that the flattering “king” would once again rise up against the kingdom in the southern region, however, his success would not be according to the way it was the first time or the last time he went against them. Matthew Henry wrote, “he shall come towards the south. But this attempt shall not succeed, as the two former did, nor shall he gain his point, as he had done before once and again.” God knows the successes and the falls of the rulers and leaders of the world, and because all the world belongs to Him (See Psalms 24:1), He chooses who will rule and who will not. Even so, there is a limitation to the rule of mankind by means of death or removal from office. God knows we will all face death because of the sin that is in our lives, and for this reason He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone. (See Romans 3:23; 6:23; John 3:16-17) When God raised Jesus from the dead, He made the way through belief and trust in Him for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and to have His Holy Spirit with us to lead and guide us wherever He desires and for whatever time He wills that we be there.

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel says, “the ships of Chittim shall come against 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".

Returning with Great Riches - Daniel 11:28

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him about battles between the king of the north and the king of the south, and he said, “and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him. Yes, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain. And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed”, and in chapter eleven and verse twenty-eight of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “then shall he return into his land with great riches” where we read,

Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.

The verse reads, “Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant;” Daniel began with the words, “then shall he return” or “at that time will he, the flattering king, turn and go back” “to his land” which means “to his, the flattering king’s, country and nation” “with great riches” or “accompanied by massive and abundant property, goods, substance and possessions”; “and his heart” which means “and his, the flattering king’s, soul and mind” “shall be against the holy covenant” or “will exist in opposition to the sacred, set apart and separate treaty, alliance, pledge and league”. Daniel shared how the flattering royal ruler would go back to his country with abundant property and possessions with his soul and mind in opposition to the sacred alliance. 

The verse goes on to say, “and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.” Daniel continued with the words, “and he shall do exploits” or “and he, the flattering king, will perform and produce damage”, “and return to his own land” which means “and turn and go back to his, the flattering king’s, own personal country and nation”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the flattering royal ruler would produce damages and then go back to his own personal country again. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Gabriel told him that the flattering royal ruler would go back to his own country, continue to produce damages and go back to his own country again. Matthew Henry wrote, “he (Antiochus) returned with great riches (v. 28), and therefore took the first occasion to invade Egypt again, at the time appointed by the divine Providence, two years after, in the eighth year of his reign.” Some rulers are relentless, and Antiochus was this way. God was aware of this, and because He is omniscient, He foretold of the behavior of this flattering “king”. God knows us as well, and because we have sin in our lives that separates us from a personal relationship with Him, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind. God raised Him from the dead after three days, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us so we are assured that regardless of how relentlessly wicked a leader may be, God is aware of them and has them under His control. 

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel says, “at the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south”, 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".

Kings' Hearts Doing Mischief - Daniel 11:27

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him, “then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle. And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yes, also the prince of the covenant. And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yes, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time. And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him. Yes, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain”, and in chapter eleven and verse twenty-seven of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief” where we read,

And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; 

but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.

The verse reads, “And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table;” Daniel began with the words, “and both these kings’ hearts” or “and both of the royal rulers and leaders’ souls and minds” “shall be to do mischief” which means “will be determined to commit bad behavior, wickedness and evil”, “and they shall speak lies” or “and they, both kings, will utter, declare and proclaim falsehoods, untruths and deceptive words” “at one table” which means “at the same table”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him that “both” of the royal rulers’ souls and minds would be purposed to commit wickedness and evil, and both of them will utter falsehoods while they are at the same “table”. 

The verse continues, “but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.” Daniel added the words, “but it shall not prosper” or “however, nevertheless, notwithstanding and moreover it, the committing to do mischief and speaking lies, will in no way or manner exist as successful, advancing and progressing”: “for yet the end” which means “because, since and on this account still the extremity, border and definite amount of time” “shall be at the time appointed” or “will exist until the scheduled and pre-arranged season”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the falsehoods and purpose to do wickedly by the “two kings” would not be successful and would only remain for a small amount of time. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Gabriel told him the “two kings” would purpose within their souls and minds to commit evil and wickedness, and they would utter falsehoods as well. This behavior would not continue, but would remain only until an “appointed time”. After the time of battling, Matthew Henry wrote, “a treaty of peace shall be set on foot, and these two kings shall meet at one council-board, to adjust the articles of peace between them; but they shall neither of them be sincere in it, for they shall, in their pretenses and promises of amity and friendship, lie to one another, for their hearts shall be at the same time to do one another all the mischief they can. And then no marvel that it shall not prosper. The peace shall not last; but the end of it shall be at the time appointed in the divine Providence, and then the war shall break out again, as a sore that is only skinned over.” These prophecies are amazing because God knew these things in advance, and since we have the advantage of hindsight, we see how they were fulfilled. God knows our past, present and future as well, and because we have sinned against Him and those sins lead to death, (See Romans 3:23; 6:23) He sent His 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 His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to be empowered to live in keeping with that truth. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:8) Let all who read these words consider these prophesies and yield themselves to Jesus Christ. 

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel says, “then shall he return into his land with great riches”, 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 Destruction by the Feeder of Meat - Daniel 11:26

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him, “then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle. And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yes, also the prince of the covenant. And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yes, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time. And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him”, and in chapter eleven and verse twenty-six of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him” where we read,

Yes, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow:

 and many shall fall down slain.

The verse reads, “Yes, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow:” Daniel began with the words, “yes, they that feed of the portion” or “even so and indeed, they, the king of the south’s own people, who devour, consume and eat” “of his meat” which means “pertaining to his, the king of the south’s, grain, food and provision” “shall destroy him” or “will violently rend, break, wreck, crush and shatter him, the king of the south”, “and his army shall overflow” which means “and his, the king of the south’s, military forces will be overthrown, cast down and swept away”. Daniel shared how Gabriel informed him that the “king of the south’s” own household who partake of his food will ruin him, and the military force he gathered together will be overthrown and swept away.

The verse goes on to say, “and many shall fall down slain.” Daniel continued with the words, “and many shall fall down” or “and a great number and abundant amount of people will be cast down, fail and waste away” “slain” which means “in a fatally wounded, pierced, profane and defiled manner”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him that a great number of military forces would be cast down, wasted away and defiled. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel about the people who were also responsible for the “king of the south’s” fall. Those who ate his food and provisions, his household members, were responsible for bringing him down. Matthew Henry wrote, “the king of Egypt shall be betrayed by his own counsellors; those that feed of the portion of his meat, that eat of his bread and live upon him, being bribed by Antiochus, shall forecast devices against him, and even they shall destroy him;” All of these facts were known in advance by Jehovah God, and He shared them with Gabriel who gave them to Daniel who wrote them down for us to read to this day. This was God’s design which would lead to His Son Jesus being sent to the earth to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days. When we submit to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide us with His Holy Spirit so we may be assured that He has all kingdoms and rulers under His control.

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel says, “both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief”, 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".