In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him about kings of the north and south, and concerning one of the final kings he said, “the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. But in his estate shall he honor the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain”, and in chapter eleven and verse forty of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him” where we read,
And 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.
The verse reads, “And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him:” Daniel began with the words, “and at the time of the end” or “and when the time period or season pertaining to the finite process, completion and finish” “shall the king of the south” which means “will the royal ruler and leader belonging to the southern direction” “push at him” or “engage in thrusting and waging war against the king of the north”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him when the completion of the finite process arrives, the royal leader of the southern direction will wage war against the flattering ruler of the north once again.
The verse continues, “and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; Daniel added the words, “and the king of the north” or “and the royal ruler belonging to the northern direction” “shall come against him” which means “will rise up and oppose him, the king of the south” “like a whirlwind” or “similar and in likeness to shiver, dread, bristle and scary storm”, “with chariots” which means “by the use of troops in military wagons”, “and with horsemen” or “and by the use of drivers of steeds”, “and with many ships” which means “and by the use of a numerous and abundant amount of sailing vessels”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him the flattering royal ruler in the northern direction would respond to the attack of the southern “king” similar to a violent storm, and he will send warriors in military wagons, upon war horses and numerous sailing vessels to battle against him.
Finally the verse says, “and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.” Daniel ended this verse with the words, “and he shall enter into the countries” or “and he, the king of the north, will arrive and come into the regions, districts and territories”, “and shall overflow” which means “and will engulf, rush over, inundate and conquer” “and pass over” or “and alienate, do away with, transgress beyond and overtake”. Daniel ended this verse by sharing how Gabriel told him the king of the north would come into the regions and territories, conquer them and overtake the entire location.
When we think through Daniel’s words in this verse, we discover how Gabriel told him the royal ruler in the southern direction will wage war against the royal ruler in the norther direction once again, however, the flattering king of the north will rise up in opposition to him like a horrific storm with his war wagons, warriors upon horses and numerous war sailing vessels. Not only will the northern king resist the attempt of the southern king, but he will also totally overtake and conquer him. Matthew Henry wrote, “Here seems to be another expedition into Egypt, or, at least, a struggle with Egypt. The Romans had tied him up from invading Ptolemy, but now that king of the south pushes at him (v. 40), makes an attempt upon some of his territories, whereupon Antiochus, the king of the north, comes against him like a whirlwind, with incredible swiftness and fury, with chariots, and horses, and many ships, a great force. 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.” God was aware of all these intentions of men, and even though they had their devises and plans, God decided the fate of them. God knows our plans as well, and because we have sin in our lives that separates us from a personal relationship with Him, He sent His Son Jesus to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we surrender our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and assure us that He knows the purposes and plans of leaders and rulers in the world, and He is in control of them all. (See Psalm 113:4; John 16:13)
Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel says, “he shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown”, 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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