In the book of Daniel, Daniel said Gabriel spoke to him and said, “the ram which you saw having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people” in chapter eight and verse twenty-five of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand” where we read,
And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
The verse reads, “And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many:” Daniel began with the words, “and through his policy” or “and by the means of his, the fierce ruler’s, prudence, cunning, insight and understanding” “also he shall cause craft to prosper” which means “even so and indeed he, the fierce ruler, will advance and make progress and successful deceit, falsehood, subtlety and treachery” “in his hand” or “within his hand of power, might and authority”; “and he shall magnify himself” which means “and he, the fierce ruler will make important, praise and do great things on behalf of his own self” “in his heart” or “within his, the fierce leader’s, soul and mind”, “and by peace” which means “and through the means of quietness, ease and prosperity” “shall destroy many” or “will corrupt, ruin and spoil numerous, abundant and an exceedingly large amount of people”. Daniel shared how this “fierce ruler” will make falsehood and treachery abound, glorify his own self and through the means of quietness and ease ruin and corrupt a great number of people.
The verse continues, “he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.” Daniel added the words, “he shall also stand up” or “he, the fierce ruler, will even so and indeed erect, set up and raise himself” “against the Prince of princes” which means “in opposition to the ruler, leader, chief, chieftain and official belonging to rulers, leaders, chiefs, chieftains and officials”; “but he shall be broken” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover he, the fierce ruler, will be shattered in pieces, wrecked, crushed and ruptured” “without hand” which means “not having or lacking a hand of power, strength and dominion”. Daniel shared how the “fierce ruler” will even so and indeed rise up in opposition to the ruler of all leaders, chiefs and officials, however he will be shattered in pieces without the power of men.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how this fierce ruler will use his power to advance himself and cause treachery and falsehood to rule. By the means of “peace” he will bring ruin upon a great number of people, and he will be so bold that He will rise up against God Himself. We shall see how that works out for him. Although he will not defeat Jehovah God, and he will be brought down by Him. God knows and is in control of all these things, and because He loves people, God offers salvation through His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the guidance and courage of His Holy Spirit to trust in Him regardless of the person who rules and reigns in the world. (Revelation 17:14; 19:16, 19-21)
Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel says, “shut you up the vision; for it shall be for many days”, 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".
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