In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him, “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” in chapter eight and verse twenty-three of his book Daniel said Gabriel shared about “the latter time of their kingdom” where we read,
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.
The verse reads, “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, …” Daniel began with the words, “and in the latter time” or “and within the hindmost, last and end time period or season” “of their kingdom” which means “pertaining to their, the four rulers’, royal rule and reign”, “when the transgressors” or “at the time and moment the revolters, and rebels” “are come to the full” which means “exist as finished, completed, exhausted and spent”. Daniel said Gabriel told him at the completion of the “four rulers” reign and the rebels have been completed, the following will occur.
The verse continues, “…a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.” Daniel added the words, “a king” or “a royal ruler and leader” “of fierce countenance” which means “with a mighty, strong, rough and greedy face and presence”, “and understanding dark sentences” or “and knowing, perceiving, discerning and having insight into difficult and perplexing parables, sayings, questions and riddles”, “shall stand up” which means “will be erected and arise”. Daniel said at the completion of the “four rulers” reign, a royal ruler with a mighty and greedy face who knows the answers to difficult and perplexing questions and riddles will arise.
When we mediate upon the words in this verse, we learn more of the sequence of world rulers through Daniel. After the time is completed for the “four rulers” who arise to power after the “great horn”, another powerful and “fierce” ruler will arise. He will be given the ability to discern difficult questions and riddles, and all the world shall know Him. We shall learn more about this ruler in our next verses, but for now let it suffice us to know this speaks of the “anti-christ” who shall demonstrate his power over the world with great might. (See Revelation 13:11-14; 19:20) Let us remember, God is more powerful than any man, nation or entity that will arise under His control, and this same God desires to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the grave after three days. When we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live according to that truth regardless of what person is in power in the world.
Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel says, “his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power”, 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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