Another Vision for Daniel - Daniel 8:1

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart”, and in chapter eight and verse one of his book Daniel said, “in the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me”  where we read,

In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.

The verse reads, “In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, …” Daniel began with the words, “in the third year” or “within year number three” “of the reign of king Belshazzar” which means “pertaining to the royal rule and kingly authority belonging to the royal ruler Belshazzar whose name means Bel protect the king” “a vision appeared unto me” or “an appearance or sighting was observed, considered and given attention to by me, Daniel”. Daniel shared how he received another “mental sighting” within year number three of “Belshazzar’s” rule within Babylon. 

The verse goes on to say, “… after that which appeared unto me at the first.” Daniel continued with the words, “after that which appeared unto me” or “following the vision that was given consideration” “at the first” which means “before or the initial vision”. Daniel shared how this “vision” followed the one he was initially given.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel that he received another “mental imagery” within the “third year” of the rule and kingly authority belonging to “Belshazzar”. We shall see what this mental imagery was in our next verses, but for now let us think about and marvel at the fact that God chose Daniel for such a special duty. In the first year of “Belshazzar” God gave Daniel a vision, and now in his third year, God was giving him another dream. Daniel had a beautiful relationship with God, and because God loves all of us and He is no respecter of persons (See Acts 10:34), we all have access to a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead after three days. When we yield our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us as He supplies us with gifts and blessings according to His Divine purpose and will. 

Next time Daniel say, “I saw a vision, and it came to pass”, 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 End of the Matter - Daniel 7:28

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-eight of his book Daniel shared about, “the end of the matter”  where we read,

Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

The verse reads, “Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me:” Daniel began with the words, “hitherto is the end” or “thus exists as the finality and conclusion” “of the matter” which means “pertaining to the dream and visions observed by Daniel”. “As for me Daniel” or “in consideration and observance within me, Daniel whose name means God is my judge”, “my cogitations much troubled me” which means “my, Daniel’s, mental conceptions and thoughts frightened, alarmed and dismayed me, Daniel”, “and my countenance changed in me” or “and my, Daniel’s, brightness, splendor and cheerfulness was transformed and altered within me, Daniel”. Daniel shared how his thoughts frightened him and his splendor and cheerfulness was altered. 

The verse continues, “but I kept the matter in my heart.” Daniel added the words, “but I kept the matter” or “however, nonetheless and notwithstanding I, Daniel, retained the word, utterance, command and affair” “in my heart” which means “within my, Daniel’s, soul and mind”. Daniel said even though his “thoughts and countenance” were frightened and altered, he retained the utterances he received within his soul and mind. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how Daniel was greatly affected in his soul and mind by the dream, visions and interpretations given to him. God entrusted Daniel with these amazing prophesies, and we are the beneficiaries of him writing them down. God loves us, and He cares for us so much that He sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of everyone. He raised Jesus from the dead after three days, and now everyone who believes and trusts in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and entrusted with whatever He desires through His Holy Spirit and according to His eternal purposes and will.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Daniel say, “in the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me”, 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 Kingdom Given to the Saints - Daniel 7:27

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how the one who stood by told him, “the fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-seven of his book Daniel said, “the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High” where we read,

And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

The verse reads, “And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, …” Daniel began with the words, “and the kingdom” or “and the royal rule and reign” “and dominion” which means “and sovereignty”, “and the greatness of the kingdom” or “and the increase and majesty belonging to the royal rule and reign” “under the whole heaven” which means “beneath the entire sky, atmosphere and sidereal heaven where God dwells and other spiritual beings” will have the following. Daniel shared how the royal rule, sovereignty and majesty belonging to the royal rule beneath the sky, atmosphere and sidereal heaven shall be as follows. 

The verse goes on to say, “… shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High,” Daniel continued with the words, “shall be given” or “will be bestowed, granted and assigned” “to the people” which means “toward the human beings” “of the saints” or “pertaining to the sacred and separated ones” “of the most High” which means “belonging to the highest Supreme Deity, Jehovah God”. Daniel said the “kingdom, dominion and greatness of the kingdom” will be granted to the sacred ones belonging to Jehovah God.

Finally the verse says, “… whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.” Daniel concluded this verse with the words, “whose kingdom” which means “whose, the Supreme Deity Jehovah God’s, royal rule and reign” “is an everlasting kingdom” or “exists as an eternal, perpetual and forever rule and reign”, “and all dominions shall serve and obey him” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the sovereignties will worship, minister to and revere him as well as hear and give obedience to him, the Supreme Deity Jehovah God”. Daniel ended this verse by sharing how Jehovah God’s royal reign is perpetual and eternal, and every other sovereignty will worship, revere and give obedience to Him. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how God’s Kingdom will dominate the world. (See Revelation 20:4) Although people and nations currently rule in the world, there will be a day when God Almighty takes over, and those who have yielded to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and rule with Him on earth and into all eternity. (See 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 5:10)

Next time Daniel shares about, “the end of the matter”, 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 Judgment Shall Sit - Daniel 7:26

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how the one who stood by told him, “the fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-six of his book Daniel said, “the judgment shall sit” where we read,

But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, 

to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

The verse reads, “But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, …” Daniel began with the words, “but the judgment shall sit” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover justice will be set and executed”, “and they shall take away” which means “and they, the sacred ones of Jehovah God, will depose and remove” “his dominion” or “his, the one who rises out of the ten king’s, sovereignty and empire”. Daniel shared how Jehovah God’s justice will prevail, and the “saints” of God will remove the sovereignty of the “little horn” that rises from the ten horns. 

The verse goes on to say, “… to consume and to destroy it unto the end.” Daniel continued with the words, “to consume” or “to devour” “and to destroy it” which means “and make the one who rises out of the ten horn’s sovereignty vanish and perish” “unto the end” or “to the finality and conclusion of the sovereignty of the little horn”. Daniel shared how the sacred ones of Jehovah God would remove, devour and make vanish the sovereignty of the one who rises out of the ten horns.

When we meditate upon Daniel’s words in this verse, we discover how this one who rises out of the ten horns who dominates the “saints” of God for three and one-half years will come to the end of his rule. The “sacred ones” of God will overtake his kingdom and rule and not only devour it, but also remove completely his sovereignty. (See Revelation 11:13; 20:10-11) One day Jesus will rule on the earth, and no man will overthrow or become a threat to Him. He was sent into the world to conquer death which was caused by sin, and when He died upon the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the grave after three days, He made the way through belief and trust in Him for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit so that come what may, we will have confidence that God’s Kingdom will reign eternally. (See John 14:6; 16:13; Acts 1:8)

Next time Daniel says, “the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High”, 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".

Speaking Great Words Against God - Daniel 7:25

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how the one who stood by told him, “the fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-five of his book Daniel shared how the one who stood by told him, “he shall speak great words against the most High” where we read,

And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

The verse reads, “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws:” Daniel began with the words, “and he shall speak great words” or “and he, the one that shall rise after the ten kings, will utter, declare and proclaim domineering matters, subjects and discourses” “against the most High” which means “in opposition to the highest Supreme Deity, Jehovah God”, “and shall wear out the saints” or “and will afflict and constantly harass the separated and sacred ones” “of the most High” which means “belonging to the highest Supreme Deity, Jehovah God”, “and think to change” or “and hope and intended to alter” “times and laws” which means “set times or seasons and God given decrees and systems”. Daniel shared how this “one who will rise after the ten kings” will not only utter boastful and domineering locutions and expressions in opposition to Jehovah God, but will also afflict and constantly harass His separated and sacred ones. 

The verse continues, “and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.” Daniel added the words, “and they shall be given” or “and they, God’s separated and sacred ones, will be laid and delivered” “into his hand” which means “in his, the one who will rise after the ten kings’, hand of power, might and authority” “until a time and times” or “till a time, a year, and times, two years” “and the dividing of time” which means “and one half of a year”. Daniel said the “set apart and sacred ones belonging to Jehovah God, will be delivered into the “hand” of power and might of this one who rises after the ten kings for three and one-half years. (See Revelation 11:2,3; 12:6,14; 13:5,7)

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how this “little horn” or “one who rises in the midst of the ten kings” will utter discourses or blasphemies in opposition to   Jehovah God, constantly harass the sacred ones of God and intend to alter times, seasons and the decrees of God. He will overcome the sacred ones of God for three and one-half years, but his dominance will not last. God is sharing these things with Daniel because He wants us to know He has a plan of salvation for sinful mankind who are doomed to eternal death. This is why He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone and raised Him from the grave 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 lead, guide and assure us that even if it doesn’t look like it, He has everything in His control. 

Next time Daniel says, “the judgment shall sit”, 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".

 

Ten Kings that Shall Arise - Daniel 7:24

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how the one who stood by told him, “the fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-four of his book Daniel said, “the ten horns … are ten kings that shall arise” where we read,

And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

The verse reads, “And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:” Daniel began with the words, “and the ten horns” or “and the ten protrusions or musical instruments” “out of this kingdom” which means “from this, the fourth ruling empire’s, royal rule and reign” “are ten kings” or “exist as ten royal rulers” “that shall arise” which means “who will be set up, established and come on the scene”. Daniel shared how the “ten horns” that proceed from the “fourth” empire exist as “ten” royal rulers that will come on the scene. 

The verse goes on to say, “… and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.” Daniel continued with the words, “and another shall rise after them” or “and one other will be set up, established and come on the scene”; “and he shall be diverse” which means “and he, the one that comes on the scene, will exist as changed and different” “from the first” or “separate and apart from the initial one”, “and he shall subdue three kings” which means “and he, the one who “shall rise after them” will humble and bring low three of the ten royal rulers and leaders. Daniel shared how this “other king” would come on the scene will be different from all the others, and he will humble and bring low three of the “ten kings” that are ruling. 

When we think through Daniel’s words in this verse, we learn what the “ten horns” were in Daniel’s vision. The one standing by told him these represented “ten royal rulers or kings” that will come on the scene to rule the world. Within the midst of them will arise another ruler who shall subdue three of the “ten kings”, and his rule will be world wide and different from all the others. Let us not forget, God knows all these things and was revealing them to Daniel so all who read these words will know this is a part of His redemption and salvation plan for mankind. When we believe and trust in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, we shall be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit so we have assurance that He is in control even when worldly rulers believe they are.  

Next time Daniel says, “he shall speak great words against the most High”, 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 Fourth Beast Diverse - Daniel 7:23

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet. And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them. Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-three of his book Daniel said, “until the Ancient of days came” where we read,

Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

The verse reads, “Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, …” Daniel began with the words, “thus he said” or “therefore, then and on this account he, the one who stood by Daniel, uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “the fourth beast” which means “the fourth large animal” “shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth” or “will exist as the royal rule and reign in the world”, “which shall be diverse” which means “that will exist as altered and different” “from all kingdoms” or “separate and apart from each, every and the whole royal rules and reigns”. Daniel shared how the “one who stood by” told him that the “fourth non-descriptive” animal represented the “fourth” royal rule and reign or empire that will arise in the world and will be different from all the others. 

The verse continues, “… and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.” Daniel added the words, “and shall devour” or “and will eat, consume and devastate” “the whole earth” which means “the entire world”, “and shall tread it down” or “and will trample the world”, “and break it in pieces” which means “and shatter and crush the world into particles”. Daniel said the “fourth beast” or “royal ruler” would consume the entire world, trample it and crush it into particles. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel about this “fourth” ruling empire that shall arise in the world. Not only will his “kingdom” be different from all the others before, but it will have world dominance and crush the entire world beneath it. This final world dominating empire will have power over the world until “the Ancient One” arrives, and God is well aware of its time and function. Let us remember that God rules over all kingdoms and rulers in the world, and when Jesus came to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He made access for everyone who puts their faith and trust in Him as their “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and to be equipped with His Holy Spirit so they may have confidence He has everything in control even when the most powerful kingdoms and empires arise in the world. 

Next time Daniel says, “the ten horns … are ten kings that shall arise”, 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".