How Long Shall It Be to the End? - Daniel 12:6

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how he was told, “But you, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river”, and in chapter twelve and verse six of his book Daniel said one of the two asked, “how long shall it be to the end of these wonders?” where we read,

And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, 

How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?

The verse reads, “And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, …” Daniel began with the words, “and one said” or “and a certain one of the spiritual beings who was standing on the side of the river uttered, declared and proclaimed” “to the man” which means “to the spiritual being” “clothed in linen” or “dressed and arrayed within white flaxen thread”, “which was upon the waters” which means “that was stationed, fixed and established on the water springs or water courses” “of the river or “belonging to the flowing stream”. Daniel shared how a certain spiritual being spoke to another being who was established upon the watercourses of the flowing stream and asked the following words. 

The verse goes on to say, “… How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?”  Daniel continued with the words, “how long shall it be” or “for what length of time will it be” “to the end” which means “until the border, finite process and completion” “of these wonders” or “pertaining to these, the previously spoken about, extraordinary, marvelous and hard to understand acts and deeds? Daniel  said the certain one asked the one who was arrayed in white flaxen threads upon the watercourses of the river what length of time would pass until the completion of the extraordinary acts previously spoken to him.  

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how these spiritual beings began to speak to one another concerning the length of time that would pass until the completion of the events spoken to Daniel. We shall see his answer in our next verse, but for now let us consider that this was knowledge that was known by one being but not the other unless it was just to let Daniel and us know. God wants us to be aware that He knows our future, and because we have sin in our lives, unless there is redemption and salvation from them, we shall be separated from Him forever. For this reason, He sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone, and when He raised Him from the dead after three days, when we put our faith and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and fill us with His Holy Spirit so we will trust Him with future events and prophecies according to His perfect timing and will. 

Next time Daniel shared how one of the two said, “it shall be for a time, times, and an half”, 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".

 

Two Others Standing - Daniel 12:5

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how he was told, “But you, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased”, and in chapter twelve and verse five of his book Daniel said, “then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two” where we read,

Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.

The verse reads, “Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, …” Daniel began with the words, “then I Daniel looked” or “at that time I, Daniel whose name means ‘God is my judge’ inspected, perceived and considered”, “and behold” which means “and lo, look and consider”, “there stood other two” or “there were established, erected and fixed in place two other beings”, “the one on this side” which means “the one being on the same side where Daniel was standing” “of the bank of the river” or “pertaining to the side belonging to the running stream”. Daniel said he observed a spiritual being fixed in place on the same side of the flowing stream where he was located.

The verse continues, “… and the other on that side of the bank of the river.”  Daniel added the words, “and the other” or “and one other spiritual being” “on the other side of the bank” which means “located upon the opposite position on the side” “of the river” or “pertaining to the side belonging to the running stream”. Daniel shared how he observed another spiritual being opposite of where he was located upon the side of the running streams. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Daniel saw two spiritual beings who were located on opposite sides of a running stream. We shall discover what these two beings were doing in our next verse, but for now let us admire Daniel’s ability  and gift to be exposed to such wonderful sights. God sees both the spiritual and the physical world at the same time, and because He desires to have a personal intimate relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the grave after three days, when we submit to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us the value through His Holy Spirit of trusting Him with all things both spiritual and physical.  

Next time Daniel shared how one of the two asks, “how long shall it be to the end of these wonders?”, 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".

 

Daniel, Shut Up the Words - Daniel 12:4

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “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. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever”, and in chapter twelve and verse four of his book Daniel was told, “O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end” where we read,

But you, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: 

many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

The verse reads, “But you, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end:” Daniel began with the words, “But you, O Daniel” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover you, O Daniel whose name means God is my judge”, “shut up the words” which means “close and stop the utterances, declarations, proclamations and sayings”, “and seal the book” or “and affix a seal to stop and fasten the missive, document and writing”, “even to the time of the end” which means “indeed and also until the season or time period pertaining to the border, completion, and finite process”. Daniel shared how he was told to close the utterances and affix a “seal” upon the document until the season of the completion and finite process has come. 

The verse goes on to say, “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”  Daniel added the words, “many shall run” or “a great and abundant number of people will rove about, eagerly and quickly proceed” “to and fro” which means “back and forth and all around”, “and knowledge” or “and perception, skill, understanding and wisdom” “shall be increased” which means “will exist as enlarged, abundant and numerous”. Daniel said at the “time of the end” people will be traversing about to this and that location, and understanding, perception and wisdom will abound.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how he was told to close the document he was writing, and he was to affix a “seal” to it until the time period when the completion of finite processes has ended. At that time, people will be extremely mobile traveling from on location to another in numerous ways, and the understanding and perception of people will grow greatly. This is happening today. Exponential travels and ability to know is greater than it has ever been in the history of man. God knows all these things, and because He revealed them to Daniel, we can be assured that He saw all these things in advance. God wants us to have a personal relationship with Him through 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 surrender to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the assurance of His Holy Spirit that as we near the “time of the end”, He will be with us then and throughout all eternity. 

Next time Daniel says, “then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two”, 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".

Shining as the Brightness of the Firmament - Daniel 12:3

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “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. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt”, and in chapter twelve and verse three of his book Daniel said, “they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament” where we read,

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; 

and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

The verse reads, “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament;” Daniel began with the words, “and they that be wise” or “and they, the people, who are prudent, circumspect, understanding and with insight” “shall shine as the brightness” which means “will illuminate and send out light similar and in likeness to the shining” “of the firmament” or “belonging to the surface and expanse of the sky”. Daniel said people who are prudent and with insight will send out light similar to the shining of the sky. 

The verse continues, “and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”  Daniel added the words, “and they that turn many to righteousness” or “and they, the people, who cause a great and abundant number of people to be just, right and cleansed” “as the stars” which means “similar and in likeness to the round shining stars in the sky” “for ever and ever” or “for long duration, everlasting, perpetually and eternally”. Daniel said people who cause an abundant number of people to be just and pleased will exist similar to the brilliant stars in the sky for all eternity. 

When we think through Daniel’s words in this verse, we discover that there is a blessing to people who lead others to “turn” others to a just and righteous life. Daniel said they will be illuminated like the expanse of the sky and exist similar to the shining stars for all eternity. God wants this for everyone, and when we yield to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a desire to turn others to His righteous and just ways.

Next time Daniel shares how he was told, “O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end”, 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".

 

Those Who Sleep in the Dust Awake - Daniel 12:2

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “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”, and in chapter twelve and verse two of his book Daniel said, “many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake” where we read,

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, 

some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

The verse reads, “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, …” Daniel began with the words, “and many of them” or “and a great, abundant and numerous amount of people” “that sleep in the dust” which means “who are asleep within the powder, dry and loose ash or ground” “of the earth” or “pertaining to the general or tilled land” “shall awake” which means “will arise and show signs of waking”. Daniel shared how a great number of people who are asleep within the powder of the ground will arise.

The verse goes on to say, “… some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”  Daniel continued with the words, “some to everlasting life” or “a number of the people to forever, continual, perpetual and unending living”, “and some to shame” which means “and a number of the people to reproach, taunting, scorn and disgrace” “and everlasting contempt” or “and forever, continual, perpetual and unending aversion and abhorrence”. Daniel shared how a number of people would arise to eternal age-abiding life, and others will arise to disgrace and perpetual abhorrence. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel about the resurrection of people who are “asleep” or who have died. Job said, “And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” (See Job 19:25-27) Jesus said, “as touching the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” (See Matthew 22:31-32) Because “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (See Romans 3:23), and “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (See Romans 6:23), God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead after three days. Daniel referred to this as “sleep”, and some people will be resurrected to be with God for all eternity, and others will experience eternal separation and disgrace from Him. This difference will be whether they put their faith and trust in Jesus as our “Savior and Lord”. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life with Him and cleanse us from all unrighteousness by His Holy Spirit as we live in His presence forever.

Next time Daniel says, “they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament”, 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".

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…

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".