In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him, “the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand. But he that comes against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed. He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him. After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him”, and in chapter eleven and verse nineteen of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land” where we read,
Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land:
but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
The verse reads, “Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land:” Daniel began with the words, “then he shall turn his face” or “at that time he, the king of the north, will fix, put and direct the front of his head or countenance” “toward the fort” which means “to the place of safety, protection and refuge” “of his own land” or “belonging to his, the king of the north’s, own personal territory, region, district and country”. Daniel shared how the king of the north would direct his attention to the safety and protection of his own country.
The verse goes on to say, “but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.” Daniel continued with the words, “but he shall stumble and fall” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover he, the king of the north will stagger, totter, become weak and be cast down”, “and not be found” which means “and in no way or manner exist as encountered, discovered and secured”. Daniel said the king of the north would stagger and become weak after returning to his own country, would be cast down to the point that he would be undiscoverable.
When we consider Daniel’s words in this verse, we learn more about what Gabriel told him concerning the king of the north. After being reproached by the rulers in the islands, he would return to his own country and become weak and be put to ruin. Matthew Henry wrote, “when he was totally routed by the Romans, and was forced to abandon to them all he had in Europe, and had a very heavy tribute exacted from him, he turned to his own land, and, not knowing which way to raise money to pay his tribute, he plundered a temple of Jupiter, which so incensed his own subjects against him that they set upon him, and killed him;” God sets up kingdoms and rulers, and He takes them down. He knows all people are in need of a “Savior” because we have sin in our lives. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to 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 be assured that He is in control of all the rulers, kingdoms and powers in the world.
Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel told him about, “a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom”, 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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