The Word for Today with Ray

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Michael Shall Stand Up - Daniel 12:1

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him about the king of the north, and said, “He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him”, and in chapter twelve and verse one of his book Daniel said, “at that time shall Michael stand up” where we read,

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of your people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

The verse reads, “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of your people:” Daniel began with the words, “and at that time” or “and at the time period or season” “shall Michael stand up” which means “will Michael, whose name means ‘who is like God’ and is one of, the chief, or the first archangel who is described as the one who stands in time of conflict for the children of Israel, arise, endure and remain”, “the great prince” or “the intense and important leader, ruler, chief, chieftain and official” “which stands for the children” which means “who rises and is established on behalf of the offspring and progeny” “of your people” or “belonging to your, Daniel’s, human beings”. Daniel shared how “Michael the archangel” would arise at this time on behalf of Daniel’s people Israel.

The verse goes on to say, “and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time:” Daniel continued with the words, “and there shall be” or “and there will exist and come to be”, “a time of trouble” which means “a season, experience and occurrence pertaining to straits, distress and vexation”, “such as never was” or “which not at any time before existed” “since there was a nation” which means “from the time when it happened and occurred for a people group, troop or collection of people to exist” “even to that same time” or “indeed up until that equal season or time period”. Daniel said a time period of great distress and vexation would arise that was unequaled by any previous time of the collection of people groups.

Finally the verse says, “and at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” Daniel concluded this verse with the words, “and at that time” or “and at that occurrence, occasion and experience” “your people shall be delivered” which means “your, Daniel’s, human beings, Israel, will exist as rescued and saved”, “every one that shall be found written” or “each, the whole and all of the people who will exist as inscribed and engraved” “in the book” which means “within the missive, document and writing”. Daniel ended this verse by sharing that at this occurrence Daniel’s people of Israel would be rescued who were inscribed within the missive or document.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel about a time when “Michael the archangel” will be dispatched to the world on behalf of Israel because of a “time of trouble” that is unlike any time previously experienced by mankind. This “time” was spoken of by Jesus who said, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (See Matthew 24:21) John the apostle wrote in the book of Revelation, “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”(Revelation 12:7-9) Because these things are fulfilled in both the spiritual and natural world, God is deeply involved. His plan was to offer salvation to mankind through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of everyone 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 the wisdom of His Holy Spirit to trust in Him with the “exceeding great troubles” that will arise in the world.

Next time Daniel says, “many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake”, 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".

Planting Tabernacles - Daniel 11:45

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him about king of the north, and said, “He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many”, and in chapter eleven and verse forty-five of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain” where we read,

And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

The verse reads, “And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain;” Daniel began with the words, “and he shall plant the tabernacles” or “and he, the king of the north, will fasten, fix and establish the transient homes, habitations or dwelling places” “of his palace” which means “pertaining to his, the king of the north’s, pavilions or palace tents” “between the seas” or “among and in the midst of the large bodies of waters such as the Mediterranean, Red or Dead seas” “in the glorious holy mountain” which means “within the beautiful and honorable sacred and pure rising above the plain”. Daniel shared how the king of the north will establish temporary dwelling tents belonging to his royal pavilions in the midst of the large bodies of water located in the beautiful sacred rising above the plain.

The verse goes on to say, “yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” Daniel continued with the words, “yet he shall come to his end” or “still he, the king of the north, will enter and light upon his, the king of the north’s, extremity and finite process”, “and none shall help him” which means “and not one person will succor, support, protect and give aid to him, the king of the north”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the finality of time would light upon the king of the north, and not one person would support him or give him aid.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Gabriel told him there would be at time when the rule of the king of the north will be over, and at that time, no one will come to his rescue. Matthew Henry wrote, “He shall come to his end and none shall help him; God shall cut him off in the midst of his days and none shall be able to prevent his fall. This is the same with that which was foretold ch. 8:25 (He shall be broken without hand), where we took a view of his miserable end. Note, When God's time comes to bring proud oppressors to their end none will be able to help them, nor will any be inclined to help them; for those that covet to be feared by all when they are in their grandeur, when they come to be in distress will find themselves loved by none; none will lend them so much as a hand or a prayer to help them; and, if the Lord does not help, who shall? Of the kings that came after Antiochus nothing is here prophesied, for that was the most malicious mischievous enemy to the church, that was a type of the son of perdition, whom the Lord shall consume with the breath of his mouth and destroy with the brightness of his coming, and none shall help him.” God knew the amount of time the rule and reign of the king of the north would last, and He knows the time for the antichrist who shall come on the scene as well. (See Revelation 13:10; 14:14-20; 19:19-21; Rev 20:2, 9) God is in control, and because He knows we must be redeemed from our sins to have a personal relationship with Him or we too will be separated from Him forever. God 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 put our faith and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the wisdom and assurance of His Holy Spirit to know He is in control of the “end” of those who rule in opposition to Him and His ways in the world.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Daniel say, “at that time shall Michael stand up”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Troubling Tidings - Daniel 11:44

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him about the king of the north, and said, “He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps”, and in chapter eleven and verse forty-four of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him” where we read,

But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him:

therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.

The verse reads, “But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him:” Daniel began with the words, “but tidings” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover reports, news and rumors” “out of the east” which means “from the eastern direction” “and out of the north” or “and from the northern direction” “shall trouble him” which means “will alarm, vex and disturb him, the king of the north”. Daniel shared how news from the eastern and northern areas will disturb and vex the king of the north.

The verse continues, “ therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.” Daniel added the words, “therefore he shall go forth” or “then, wherefore and on this account will he, the king of the north, proceed and continue” “with great fury to destroy” which means “by the use of exceeding and abundant rage, displeasure, indignation and wrath to exterminate, annihilate and devastate”, “and utterly to make away many” or “and totally and entirely destroy and obliterate a great number of people”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him because of the news from the “east and north”, the king of the north would proceed with exceeding indignation and totally obliterate a huge amount of people.

When we consider Daniel’s words in this verse, we discover how Gabriel told him that the flattering king of the north would hear frightening news from the “eastern and northern” directions, and this would cause him to proceed with an exceeding rage to obliterate and totally annihilate a great number of people. Matthew Henry wrote, “Here is a prediction of the fall and ruin of Antiochus, as before (ch. 8:25), when he is in the height of his honor, flushed with victory, and laden with spoils, tidings out of the east and out of the north (out of the north-east) shall trouble him, v. 44. Or, He shall have intelligence, both from the eastern and northern parts, that the king of Parthia is invading his kingdom. This obliged him to drop the enterprises he had in hand, and to go against the Persians and Parthians that were revolting from him; and this vexed him, for now he thought utterly to ruin and extirpate the Jewish nation, when that expedition called him off, in which he perished. This is explained by a passage in Tacitus (though an impious one) where he commends Antiochus for his attempt to take away the superstition of the Jews, and bring in the manners of the Greeks, among them (ut teterrimam gentem in melius mutaret-to meliorate an odious nation), and laments that he was hindered from accomplishing it by the Parthian war. Now here is, The last effort of his rage against the Jews. When he finds himself perplexed and embarrassed in his affairs he shall go forth with great fury to destroy and utterly to make away many, v. 44. The story of this we have 1 Mac. 3:27, etc., what a rage Antiochus was in when he heard of the successes of Judas Maccabaeus, and the orders he gave to Lysias to destroy Jerusalem. Then he planted the tabernacles of his palace, or tents of his court, between the seas, between the Great Sea and the Dead Sea. He set up his royal pavilion at Emmaus near Jerusalem, in token that, though he could not be present himself, yet he gave full power to his captains to prosecute the war against the Jews with the utmost rigor. He placed his tent there, as if he had taken possession of the glorious holy mountain and called it his own.” Regardless of all these efforts by the “king of the north”, God sees, God knows, and God cares. He is aware of the sins of mankind and sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone. When He raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through belief and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with the wisdom of His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us trust Him with the maneuvers of the rulers in the world.

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel says, “he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Power Over Treasures of Gold and Silver - Daniel 11:43

But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.

The verse reads, “But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt:” Daniel began with the words, “but he shall have power” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover he, the king of the north will exercise rule, reign and dominion ” “over the treasures” which means “beyond and above the valuables, riches and hidden stores” “of gold and of silver” or “pertaining to gold metal and silver metal”, “and over all the precious things” which means “and beyond and above each, every, the whole and everyone of the precious, coveted and greatly desirable” “of Egypt” or “belonging to 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”. Daniel shared how the king of the north will also have authority and might above the valuable and riches made with gold and silver metal and the precious and valuable items belonging to the country of “Egypt”.

The verse goes on to say, “and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.” Daniel continued with the words, “and the Libyans” whose name means “empty-hearted and were a people of Northern Africa west of Egypt” “and the Ethiopians” or Cushi whose name means “their blackness and was one of the descendants of Cush” “shall be at his steps” or “will exist in service or in step with him”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the king of the north would also have authority over the “Libyans and Ethiopians” as they will be serving him.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Gabriel said the king of the north would also gain control over the valuables within the land of Egypt as well as the Libyans and Ethiopians. Matthew Henry wrote, “We read not of any great slaughter made in this expedition, but great plunder; for, it should seem, that was what he came for: He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and all the precious things of Egypt, v. 43. Polybius, in Athenaeus, relates that Antiochus, having got together abundance of wealth, by spoiling young Philometer, and breaking league with him, and by the contributions of his friends, bestowed a vast deal upon a triumph, in imitation of Paulus Aemilius, and describes the extravagance of it; here we are told how he got that money which he spent so profusely. Notice is here taken likewise of the use he made of the Libyans and Ethiopians, who bordered upon Egypt; they were at his steps; he had them at his foot, had them at his beck, and they made inroads upon Egypt to serve him.” Even though it would appear that this northern “king” would be victorious over all the nations and the treasures they owned, God was in control. God wants us to be in a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross and was raised from the dead after three days. When we surrender to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us to be assured of His of His Holy Spirit’s protection and oversight among the rulers and nations of the world.

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel says, “tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Stretching Forth His Hand Upon Countries - Daniel 11:42

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him about the king of the north, and said, “He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon”, and in chapter eleven and verse forty-two of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “he shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries” where we read,

He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.

The verse reads, “He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries:” Daniel began with the words, “he shall stretch forth his hand” or “he, the king of the north, will extend and direct his, the king of the north’s, hand of authority, might and power” “also upon the countries” which means “even so and indeed on the regions, territories and districts”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the king of the north will extend his hand of power, might and authority on more regions, territories and districts.

The verse continues, “and the land of Egypt shall not escape.” Daniel added the words, “and the land of Egypt” or “and the territory, region, district and country belonging to 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” “shall not escape” which means “will in no way or manner be delivered”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the king of the north would also exercise his power over the country of “Egypt”, and they would not be delivered from him.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Gabriel informed him that the flattering “king of the north” would continue to attack other “countries” including the nation of “Egypt”. Once again his conquering would be complete, and not even the people of “Egypt” would be delivered from him. Matthew Henry wrote, “He did not put these countries under contribution, because they had joined with him against the Jews. But especially the land of Egypt shall not escape, but he will quite beggar that, so bare will he strip it. This some reckon his fourth and last expedition against Egypt, in the tenth or eleventh year of his reign, under pretense of assisting the younger brother of Ptolemaeus Philometer against him.” Though this royal leader from the north (Antiochus) thought his exploits were victorious, God was aware of them. This too would be used in God’s plan to bring salvation and redemption to mankind. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (See Romans 3:23), and those sins lead to death. (See Romans 6:23) For this reason God sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of everyone, and He raised Him from the dead after three days so when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide us with the assurance of His Holy Spirit that He has every leader and nation under His control.

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel says, “he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Entering the Glorious Land - Daniel 11:41

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him about kings of the north and south, and said, “at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over”, and in chapter eleven and verse forty-one of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said about the king of the north, “he shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown” where we read,

He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.

The verse reads, “He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown:” Daniel began with the words, “he shall enter also” or “he, the king of the north, will come even so and indeed” “into the glorious land” which means “into the beautiful, honorable, goodly and pleasant territory, region, district and country”, “and many countries” or “and an abundant and numerous amount of territories, regions and districts” “shall be overthrown” which means “will stumble, stagger and totter”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the king of the north would also come into the pleasant territory, Israel, and a numerous amount of regions and district would stumble and stagger before him.

The verse goes on to say, “but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.” Daniel continued with the words, “but these shall escape” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the following countries will slip away, be delivered and preserved” “out of his hand” which means “from his, the king of the north’s, hand of power, might and authority”, “even Edom” or “indeed Edom whose name means red and was the land of the descendants of Esau”, “and Moab” whose name means “of his father and was the country of the nation that descended from the son of Lot”, “and the chief” or “and the best, first-fruits and choice”, “of the children of Ammon” which means “pertaining to the offspring and progeny belonging to Ammon whose name means tribal and was a people dwelling in Transjordan descended from Lot through Ben-ammi”. Daniel shared how Gabriel said the countries of “Edom and Moab” would be preserved from the power and might of the northern king along with the best of the offspring belonging to “Ammon”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Gabriel continued to tell him specific actions of war that would be carried out by the flattering king of the north. Not only would he march into the land of Egypt where the southern king was located, but other regions would be conquered by him as well including Israel. “Edom, Moab and the best of the offspring of Ammon” would, however, be preserved. Matthew Henry wrote, “He shall come through countries, and shall overflow and pass over. In this flying march many countries shall be overthrown by him; and he shall enter into the glorious land, the land of Israel; it is the same word that is translated the pleasant land, ch. 8:9. He shall make dreadful work among the nations thereabout; yet some shall escape his fury, particularly Edom and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.” This royal ruler from the north will be relentless, and because his actions were known by Jehovah God in advance, God exposed them to Gabriel who relayed them to Daniel. God knows the past, present and future all at the same time because He is omniscient. He knows us in this way as well, and because we have sin in our lives that leads to death and eternal separation from 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 believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us so we are guided into all truth, empowered to live according to that truth, and assured that regardless of how leaders and rulers in the world may plan and act, He is overseeing them all. (See Psalm 113:4; John 16:13; Acts 1:8)

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel says, “he shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…