Doing According to His Own Will - Daniel 11:16

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him, “the robbers of your people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall. So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand”, and in chapter eleven and verse sixteen of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “he that comes against him shall do according to his own will” where we read,

But he that comes against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.

The verse reads, “But he that comes against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him:” Daniel began with the words, “but he that comes against him” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover he, the person who enters and rises up in opposition to him, the king of the north” “shall do according to his own will” which means “will perform, accomplish and act in keeping with his, own personal desires, pleasure, favor and goodwill”, “and none shall stand before him” or “and not one person will be able to remain, endure and continue in front of and within the presence of him, the king of the north”. Daniel shared how the “king of the north” will continue to be in opposition to the “king of the south” in keeping with his own pleasure, and no one will be able to resist him.

The verse continues, “and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.” Daniel added the words, “and he shall stand” or “and he, the king of the north, will remain, endure and continue” “in the glorious land” which means “within the beautiful, honorable, goodly and pleasant region, district and territory”, “which by his hand” or “who through the means of his, hand of power, might and authority” “shall be consumed” which means “will be completed, finished and at an end”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him that the “king of the north” would remain within the “pleasant or beautiful land” which is Israel, who through the means of his authority and power will be finished. 

When we consider Daniel’s words in this verse, we see how Gabriel told him the “king of the north” will rise up in opposition to the royal ruler of the south once again and will do so in keeping with his own pleasure and desire. The land of Israel will be part of the conquered range which became a battle zone between the “north and south” in these battles. Matthew Henry wrote, “the king of the north” shall carry all before him and do what he pleases, and he shall stand and get footing in the glorious land; so the land of Israel was, and by his hand it was wasted and consumed, for with the spoil of that good land he victualed his vast army. The land of Judea lay between these two potent kingdoms of Egypt and Syria, so that in all the struggles between them that was sure to suffer, for to it they both bore ill will. Yet some read this, By his hand it shall be perfected; as if it intimated that the land of Judea, being taken under the protection of this Antiochus, shall flourish, and be in better condition than it had been.” No doubt the people of Israel were within the center of all these battles because the Messiah Jesus was to be born from the people of Israel. This plan of Jehovah God was for the redemption and salvation of everyone who puts their faith and trust in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. When we submit to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth according to His perfect will and purpose for us. 

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel told him, “he shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole 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".

 

The Northern King Casting and Taking - Daniel 11:15

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him, “the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches. And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of your people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall”, and in chapter eleven and verse fifteen of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities” where we read,

So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand.

The verse reads, “So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities:” Daniel began with the words, “so the king” or “wherefore, therefore, then and on this account the royal ruler” “of the north shall come” which means “belonging to the northern direction will be enumerated and enter”, “and cast up a mount” or “and lay siege with a rampart of besiegers or military mound”, “and take the most fenced cities” which means “and capture and seize the fortresses and fortified strongholds”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the royal ruler from the northern direction will enter, lay siege with a rampart of besiegers and capture the fortified strongholds. 

The verse goes on to say, “and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand.” Daniel continued with the words, “and the arms of the south” or “and the forearms, shoulders and forces of strength belonging to the southern direction” “shall not withstand” which means “will in no way or manner remain, endure or continue”, “neither his chosen people” or “no and not in any way his, the king of the south’s, choice and best human beings”, “neither shall there be any strength to withstand” which means “no and not in any way will there exist power, might and ability to remain, endure or continue”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the forces of strength of the royal ruler belonging to the southern direction would in no way remain, nor would his best warriors have the power or might to continue. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Gabriel told him the “king of the north” would attack the “king of the south” once again, and because he was so powerful, the “king of the south” would not be able to resist him. Not even the best of the warriors among the troops of the “king of the south” would be able to continue. Matthew Henry wrote, “the king of the north, this same Antiochus Magnus, shall carry on his design against the king of the south another way.  He shall surprise his strong-holds; all that he has got in Syria and Samaria, and the arms of the south, all the power of the king of Egypt, shall not be able to withstand him. See how dubious and variable the turns of the scale of war are; like buying and selling, it is winning and losing; sometimes one side gets the better and sometimes the other; yet neither by chance; it is not, as they call it, the fortune of war, but according to the will and counsel of God, who brings some low and raises others up.” Back and forth these rulers came against one another in war, and it should be no surprise to us that this embattlement continues to this day among men. God knew all people everywhere would need to be redeemed from their sins because those sins separated people from Him. For this reason God 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 who will provide wisdom concerning the ruling entities in the world and their limitations while under His control. 

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel told him, “he that comes against him shall do according to his own will”, 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".

Standing Up Against the Southern King - Daniel 11:14

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him, “the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches”, and in chapter eleven and verse fourteen of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south” where we read,

And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: 

also the robbers of your people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.

The verse reads, “And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south:” Daniel began with the words, “and in those times” or “and within those seasons and time periods” “there shall many stand up” which means “there will a great number and numerous ones arise and take a stand” “against the king of the south” or “in opposition to the royal ruler and leader belonging to the southern direction”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him there would be a great number of people who would rise in opposition to the royal ruler in the “south”. 

The verse continues, “also the robbers of your people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.” Daniel added the words, “also the robbers” or “even so and indeed the violent, destroying and murdering ones” “of your people” which means “belonging to your, Daniel’s, human beings” “shall exalt themselves” or “will raise up and glorify their own selves” “to establish the vision” which means “to make stand and cause the remain the mental imagery, appearance and sighting”; “but they shall fall” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover they, will stumble, stagger and totter”. Daniel shared how Gabriel said the violent and murderous ones belonging to “Daniel’s” own “people” would rise up and glorify their own selves to cause the “vision” to remain, however, those people will stumble and stagger. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Gabriel told Daniel that a great number of people would rise up in opposition to the royal ruler in the southern direction, and indeed the violent and murderous ones among them would their own selves rise up to cause the mental appearance to be fixed and continue. Matthew Henry wrote, “Many shall stand up against the king of the south. Philip of Macedon was confederate with Antiochus against the king of Egypt, and Scopas his general, whom he sent into Syria; Antiochus routed him, destroyed a great part of his army; whereupon the Jews willingly yielded to Antiochus, joined with him, helped him to besiege Ptolemaeus's garrisons. They the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision, to help forward the accomplishment of this prophecy; but they shall fall, and shall come to nothing.” God wants us to know that He is aware of all nations and rulers, and none of them, regardless of how they assemble troops, riches and wealth, are able to function without Him allowing it. God is aware of our every word, act and deed, and because we have sinned against Him and violated His law, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone. He resurrected Him from the grave after three days so when we yield our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, so when we put our faith and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth about ourselves, this world and His ability to be over and control all of them.

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel told him, “the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities”, 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 North Again - Daniel 11:13

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 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. And when he has taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it”, and in chapter eleven and verse thirteen of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former” where we read,

For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, 

and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.

The verse reads, “For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former,  …” Daniel began with the words, “for the king of the north” or “because, since and on account that the royal ruler and leader belonging to the northern direction” “shall return” which means “will come back”, “and shall set forth a multitude” or “and will raise up and take a stand with a massive crowd of forces” “greater than the former” which means “larger and greater in number compared to his previous army”. Daniel shared how the “northern royal ruler” would come back and assemble an amount of forces that was larger than his original one. 

The verse goes on to say, “… and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.” Daniel continued with the words, “and shall certainly come” or “and will assuredly enter and be enumerated” “after certain years” which means “following some amount of annual sets of days” “with a great army” or “alongside and accompanying a large in number, more mighty and and stronger military force” “and with much riches” which means “and accompanying a great and numerous amount of property, goods and possessions”. Daniel said the royal ruler from the “north” would assuredly be enumerated following some “years” and would be accompanied by a massive group of forces and a great amount of property and goods. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Gabriel told him the “king of the north” would go back to his location, assemble an even greater number of military forces than his previous one, and return to the battle following some “years” with a massive “army” and a large amount of property and goods. Matthew Henry wrote, “The king of the north, Antiochus the Great, shall return with a greater army than the former; and, at the end of times (that is, years) he shall come with a mighty army, and great riches, against the king of the south, that is, Ptolemaeus Epiphanes, who succeeded Ptolemaeus Philopater his father, when he was a child, which gave advantage to Antiochus the Great. In this expedition he had some powerful allies”, and we remember again that these are prophecies which were unknown to Daniel at the time, but we have the advantage of a historical record to verify their validity. God wants us to know that He is well aware of the future of the world and our future as well. He knows without a “Savior” our sins will lead us into an eternal separation from Him. (See Romans 6:23) For this reason God sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield 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 to be assured that God has every ruler and nation in control and we have no need to fear no matter how many forces and riches they obtain. 

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel told him, “in those times there shall many stand up against the king of 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".

A Heart Lifted Up - Daniel 11:12

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 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”, and in chapter eleven and verse twelve of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “when he has taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up” where we read,

And when he has taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up;

 and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.

The verse reads, “And when he has taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up;” Daniel began with the words, “and when he has taken away the multitude” or “and at the time and moment he, the king of the south, has captured and carried off the massive crowd”, “his heart shall be lifted up” which means “his, the king of the south’, soul and mind will be exalted, raised and extolled”. Daniel shared Gabriel told him, the “king of the south” would be exalted within his heart and mind after he captured the massive crowd who came to fight with him. 

The verse continues, “and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.” Daniel added the words, “and he shall cast down” or “and he, the king of the south, will cause to fall” “many ten thousands” which means “tens of thousands”: “but he shall not be strengthened by it” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover will in no way be made hardened, stout and prevailing within his defeat of the tens of thousands”. Daniel shared how Gabriel said “the king of the south” would cause “tens of thousands” to be defeated, however, he would in no way be made hardened by it. 

When we think through Daniel’s words in this verse, we discover how Gabriel told him that the “king of the south” would defeat a massive crowd of forces, however, his soul and mind would be exalted about it. He would also make “tens of thousands” to fall, but it would not make him hardened and strong. Matthew Henry wrote, “The king of the south, in this war, shall at first have very great success. Ptolemaeus Philopater, moved with indignation at the indignities done by Antiochus the Great, shall (though otherwise a slothful prince) come forth, and fight with him, and shall bring a vast army into the field of 70,000 foot, and 5000 horse, and seventy-three elephants. And the other multitude (the army of Antiochus, consisting of 62,000 foot, and 6000 horse, and 102 elephants) shall be given into his hand. Polybius, who lived with Scipio, has given a particular account of this battle of Raphia. Ptolemaeus Philopater, having gained this victory, grew very insolent; his heart was lifted up; then he went into the temple of God at Jerusalem, and, in defiance of the law, entered the most holy place, for which God has a controversy with him, so that, though he shall cast down many myriads, yet he shall not be strengthened by it, so as to secure his interest”. This seems to be a pattern for most leaders who have success, and it’s because they forget that God is in control of their place, position and time allowed to rule. God wants us to humble ourselves and receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through belief and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit so we always give Him the glory for the great things He is doing, has done and will do in our lives. 

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel told him, “the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former”, 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 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".