Archive for the Angels Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Daniel’s Answered Prayers

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , on August 16, 2020 by paulthepoke

Daniel 9:22 He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding.

God has heard Daniel’s prayers. The Lord has sent Gabriel. Daniel gives all the credit to Gabriel. The angel is the source of information and consideration. Gabriel is bringing truth from God.

Daniel 9:23 At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.

…a word went out… God was listening to Daniel’s petition and He responded. Notice God did not waste any time. He responded to Daniel “At the beginning“. A word or dabar in the Hebrew went out. Dabar is translated as a word or speech. God was giving Daniel an answer to his prayers. Yahweh sent the angel Gabriel to deliver the message.

…you are greatly loved… Gabriel provides confirmation to Daniel regarding his position in God. Daniel is told he is “greatly loved” or chamad. The term is also translated as desired. God takes pleasure in Daniel. Definitions provided by Strong’s Concordance.

Daniel’s plea and prayers were answered and then some. Little did Daniel know, he was about to receive the outline of history for at least the next 2,500 years. The information revealed would include the first and second coming of the Messiah Jesus, the construction of two temples, the demolition of one temple, the destruction of Jerusalem, the forecast of the antichrist, the outline for the end times scenario, and the ushering of an everlasting and eternal peace… restoration as God intended.

Daniel’s position in God is no different than our position today. God has blessed us with favor and grace.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

God desires for humanity to be restored as He created us. He loves us all yet He gives us the choice to choose Him.

1 Timothy 2:3-6 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is One mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

Time is running short. The choice is yours…

Leave a comment »

Gabriel Visits Daniel a Second Time

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels with tags , , , , , , , , , on August 9, 2020 by paulthepoke

Daniel 9:1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans…

In general, history records Babylon was taken by the Persian Empire in 539 BC. This is the year Daniel is about to be visited again by the angel Gabriel.

The last time Gabriel visited Daniel was 14 years earlier. We know Daniel received understanding of the first vision from Daniel 8:1 in the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar to be about 553 BC.

Gabriel’s second visitation would be a reminder of the fulfillment of his first message to Daniel. Babylon was promised to fall to the Medes and Persians and lose its seat of the world’s dominant power. Gabriel appears a second time to Daniel after his initial prophecy from God was reality.

Daniel 9:20 While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the LORD my God for the holy hill of my God…

Daniel 9:20 is an effective summary of his petition to God in Daniel 9:3-19. Daniel is approaching God in prayer. Daniel is more concerned about God’s name and His reputation. He knows God is forgiving and merciful.

~

Daniel 9:21 …while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice.

…the man Gabriel… God’s messenger Gabriel appears as a man or ish in the Hebrew. Gabriel looks like a man.

In both cases when Gabriel visits Daniel, he appears as a man. The first time in Daniel 8:15 Gabriel was described as a geber. This is the term for a mighty warrior. Gabriel is physically imposing and intimidating.

…came to me in swift flight… Gabriel arrived in a condition of yeaph in the Hebrew. He was tired, weary, or faint. Gabriel appears to be in a hurry to get to Daniel.

Pinterest

…the time of the evening sacrifice. Gabriel visited Daniel in the mid afternoon. Typically, the evening sacrifice at the Temple took place at the ninth hour. This would translate to 3:00 in the afternoon for us in the western world and culture.

Cornelius also encountered an angel in the ninth hour in the book of Acts.

Acts 10:3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.”

Jesus died on the cross at the ninth hour or 3:00 p.m.

Matthew 27:46  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Matthew 27:50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

Leave a comment »

Daniel’s 2nd Vision With Gabriel’s Understanding

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels, Antichrist/Beast, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 1, 2020 by paulthepoke

Daniel 8:3-14 I raised my eyes and saw, and behold, a ram standing on the bank of the canal. It had two horns, and both horns were high, but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. 

Daniel 8:20 As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia.

I saw the ram charging westward and northward and southward. No beast could stand before him, and there was no one who could rescue from his power. He did as he pleased and became great.

As I was considering, behold, a male goat came from the west across the face of the whole earth, without touching the ground.

Daniel 8:21a And the goat is the king of Greece.

And the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes. 

Daniel 8:21b And the great horn between his eyes is the first king.

He came to the ram with the two horns, which I had seen standing on the bank of the canal, and he ran at him in his powerful wrath. I saw him come close to the ram, and he was enraged against him and struck the ram and broke his two horns. And the ram had no power to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground and trampled on him. And there was no one who could rescue the ram from his power. Then the goat became exceedingly great, but when he was strong, the great horn was broken…

Daniel 8:22a As for the horn that was broken…

…and instead of it there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven.

Daniel 8:22b …in place of which four others arose, four kingdoms shall arise from his nation, but not with his power.

Out of one of them came a little horn…

Daniel 8:23 And at the latter end of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their limit, a king of bold face, one who understands riddles, shall arise.

…which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land. It grew great, even to the host of heaven. And some of the host and some of the stars it threw down to the ground and trampled on them. 

It became great…

Daniel 8:24-25 His power shall be great—but not by his own power; and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints. By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many.

…even as great as the Prince of the host.

Daniel 8:25a And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes…

And the regular burnt offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown. And a host will be given over to it together with the regular burnt offering because of transgression, and it will throw truth to the ground, and it will act and prosper. 

Daniel 8:25b and he shall be broken—but by no human hand. 

Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who spoke, “For how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be trampled underfoot?” And he said to me, “For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state.”

Daniel 8:26 The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now.”

Leave a comment »

Gabriel: Character of the Antichrist, Part 2

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , , on July 26, 2020 by paulthepoke

Daniel 8:25b…and he will magnify himself in his heart, and he will destroy many while they are at ease. He will even oppose the Prince of princes, but he will be broken without human agency”.

The angel Gabriel completes his communication to the prophet Daniel. Gabriel finishes his description of the character of the antichrist.

…and he will magnify himself in his heart… His ego will be out of control. Pride will be on display. Confidence will not be lacking and he will be capable of great things, just ask him. He also takes after his leader Satan. God reminds Satan of his attitude and thoughts in Isaiah.

Isaiah 14:13-14 “But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’”

~

…and he will destroy many while they are at ease. People will be at quietness and prosperity. Then he will strike. This is consistent with Scripture in the New Testament as written by the Apostle Paul.

1 Thessalonians 5:3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.

~

He will even oppose the Prince of princes… Now this is a bad career move. It is never a good idea to oppose Jesus Himself. But, this is the kind of ego he possesses. The antichrist will take his stand and present himself against Christ.

..but he will be broken without human agency”. The Hebrew says the antichrist will be shabar or broken. Shabar is defined as: to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked, or be crushed (figuratively). The phrase without human agency is an interesting one. It literally means “with nothingness of hand” in the Hebrew. He will be get what he deserves but not at the hand of a human being, which includes Jesus. Per the passages above, the antichrist is not sentenced to death by the Prince of princes.

This seems a bit confusing on the surface, until…

Revelation 19:20. And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone.

No death for you…but, an eternal living hell.

~

Daniel 8:26 The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now.”

Gabriel is confirming that Daniel’s vision is legitimately from God. The vision of the evenings and the mornings is in reference to Daniel 8:14.

Daniel 8:14 And he said to me, “For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state.”

This vision is “true” or emeth in the Hebrew. It is faithful and firm, Amen!

Leave a comment »

Gabriel: Character of the Antichrist, Part 1

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels, Prophecy with tags , , , , , on July 19, 2020 by paulthepoke

Daniel 8:23-25a “In the latter period of their rule, when the transgressors have run their course, a king will arise, insolent and skilled in intrigue. His power will be mighty, but not by his own power, and he will destroy to an extraordinary degree and prosper and perform his will; he will destroy mighty men and the holy people. And through his shrewdness he will cause deceit to succeed by his influence…

The angel Gabriel continues his revelation to the prophet Daniel. Gabriel is about to describe the character of the antichrist.

This king will be insolent and skilled in intrigue. Other adjectives in the original Hebrew could describe him as strong, mighty, and fierce. He will understand and be able to teach and communicate riddles, difficult questions, parables, enigmatic and perplexing sayings or questions. (Hebrew definitions provided by Strong’s Concordance)

His power will be mighty, but not by his own power… His strength and power will be exceedingly great. It will be given to him. Revelation 13 tells us from where the man draws his power. Satan is the source of his power.

Revelation 13:2b,4 And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. They worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?”

…and he will destroy to an extraordinary degree and prosper and perform his will… The Hebrew grammar states he (the antichrist) is the source and cause of destruction. He will destroy physical property to the point of ruination. He corrupts morally and is perverted. The destruction would appear to be beyond one’s power and difficult to do. The level of destruction will be extraordinary and difficult to comprehend. In a bizarre twist, his destruction will result in prosperity. In our vernacular, he will do whatever the hell he wants.

…he will destroy mighty men and the holy people… The Hebrew word for mighty is `atsuwm. Per Strong’s, it means: mighty, vast, numerous, countless, and strong (in number). Lots of people are going to perish at the antichrist’s hands. God’s people will also suffer at his hands. 

Revelation 13:7 It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them…

~

And through his shrewdness he will cause deceit to succeed by his influence… He will demonstrate shrewdness or sekel in the original Hebrew. Sekel can be defined as: cunning or crafty in a bad sense. The antichrist is going to be one slick-talking, smooth liar. And he is going to be able to sell.

Leave a comment »

Gabriel: The End Is Coming

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels, Prophecy with tags , , , , on July 12, 2020 by paulthepoke

Daniel 8:23-25 “In the latter period of their rule, when the transgressors have run their course, a king will arise, insolent and skilled in intrigue. His power will be mighty, but not by his own power, and he will destroy to an extraordinary degree and prosper and perform his will; he will destroy mighty men and the holy people. And through his shrewdness he will cause deceit to succeed by his influence; and he will magnify himself in his heart, and he will destroy many while they are at ease. He will even oppose the Prince of princes, but he will be broken without human agency”.

Daniel 8:23-25 is a description of the future antichrist. The prophet Daniel is given clarification and comprehension from the angel Gabriel of a vision he had previously received. Gabriel frames the prophecy with a specific era.

The period in history is clearly stated on four occasions. Gabriel specifically tells Daniel. Gabriel opens the prophecy with a time point.

Daniel 8:23a In the latter period of their rule…

“In the latter period“… This is the Hebrew word acharith. The word is defined as the after-part or end. Many times in the Old Testament, acharith is used in the context of the end of a human lifespan or the end of the calendar year.

As a point of review, Gabriel indicated to Daniel this is about the time of the end. Daniel 8:17 “Son of man, understand that the vision pertains to the time of the end.” 

The angel Gabriel restates this again. Daniel 8:19 “Behold, I am going to let you know what will occur at the final period of the indignation, for it pertains to the appointed time of the end.” 

On a fourth occasion we are told of the period in history. Gabriel closes the prophecy regarding the character of the antichrist with a time point.

Daniel 8:26 “The vision of the evenings and mornings which has been told is true; but keep the vision secret, for it pertains to many days in the future.” 

So I take it these passages have to do with the end times…

The context of Gabriel’s information from God is the Greek Empire. Notice, Rome or modern day Italy was not part of the Greek Empire. Modern day Greece is the country furthest west in the ancient Greek Empire. Historically, the eastern legs of the Roman and Greek Empires were larger. This is suggestive the antichrist will not come from western Europe.

Historically, there has been a pause of over 2,300 years since Alexander the Great. History is running its course. And we continue to wait for a king who will arise… not a nice guy.

Leave a comment »

The Greek Empire

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , on July 5, 2020 by paulthepoke

Daniel 8:21 And the goat is the king of Greece. And the great horn between his eyes is the first king.

Javan is a son of Japheth. Javan is Noah’s grandson. History shows this group of people as Ionians or the Greeks. His name means effervescing, hot, and active. This gives insight into Javan’s character. (Strong’s Concordance).

Genesis 10:2 The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.

Gabriel describes the goat as “shaggy” or sa’iyr. The term is also translated as hairy. Esau was reported to be sa’iyr.

Genesis 27:11 But Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Behold, my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man.

Sa’iyr can also be translated as devil.

The Bible views the goat as a leader in other verses. Some translations will use the term “he goat“. Noted are a couple of examples below.

Jeremiah 50:8 Flee from the midst of Babylon, and go out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as male goats before the flock.

A goat is equated with a king in Proverbs.

Proverbs 30:31 the strutting rooster, the he-goat, and a king whose army is with him.

Daniel’s vision included a goat who was a great leader. He needed assistance in understanding the nature of the goat and his origin.

Daniel 8:5 As I was considering, behold, a male goat came from the west across the face of the whole earth, without touching the ground. And the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes.

And the great horn between his eyes is the first king.

In the Bible, horns are equated with kings and leaders. Horns demonstrate strength, power, and honor.

Luke 1:69 …and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David…

~

Historically, there is only one great leader from Greece that fits the description of Daniel 8:5. He conquered the known world at a break neck pace. Greece would replace the Persians as the dominant military power as prophesied by Daniel.

alex323

From the time of the given unveiling, about 230 years later in 323 BC, Alexander the Great would conquer the known world and fulfill this prophecy. Alexander is the large horn. He succeeded his father Philip at age 20. Alexander never lost on the battlefield.

Alexander the Great died at age 32 in Babylon. History suggests he was an alcoholic and could not control himself. Moderation was not in his make up. Alexander was the expression of his fore father Javan (effervescing, hot, and active).

photo: Wikipedia

Daniel 8:22 As for the horn that was broken, in place of which four others arose, four kingdoms shall arise from his nation, but not with his power.

Gabriel continued his interpretation of prophecy with Daniel regarding the future Greek Empire. As history records, when Alexander the Great died and the horn of the goat was broken.

Alexander’s kingdom was divided into his four generals. Cassander would rule Macedonia and Greece. Lysimachus would preside over Thrace, Bithynia, and the majority of Asia Minor. Seleucus would take over Syria and the land to the east including Babylon. Ptolemy would be in charge of Egypt, the Holy Land, and the Sinai Peninsula. And they would war and fight…

And as the prophecy states, none of the generals or four horns would assume control of Alexander’s vast empire.

Leave a comment »

The Persian Empire

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels, Persia/Elam/Iran, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , on June 21, 2020 by paulthepoke

Daniel 8:20 As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia.

Media or the Medes or Madai, is a son of Japheth. Madai is Noah’s grandson.

Genesis 10:2 The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.

Wikipedia

Historically, the Medes and Persians formed the Persian or the Achaemenid Empire.

Daniel was not written in chronological order. Historically, Daniel 8 was written before Daniel 5.

We know Daniel received understanding of the vision from Daniel 8:1 in the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar to be about 553 BC.

In receiving the vision, Daniel understood Babylon would no longer be a player on the world stage and the Babylonian Empire was on its last legs. Recall, Daniel was physically in Babylon. At the time of the vision, Babylon was the head of gold of world empires from Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chapter 2.

In 553 BC, The Persians were led by Cyrus the Great (559 BC to 529 BC). At the time of Daniel’s vision, secular history records Cyrus was yet to invade and capture Babylon. Secular history records that would happen 14 years later in 539 BC. Legend has it, Babylon was taken by the Persians without any conflict.

This is where secular history and the Bible collide. Secular history says Cyrus captured Babylon. The Bible says Darius the Mede captured Babylon. Secular history has no mention of Darius the Mede. Critics of the Bible view the character of Darius the Mede as a work of fiction. Darius the Mede would continue to be a part of Daniel’s writings in chapters 6 and 9. Some critics even go to the extent Daniel never existed.

King Belshazzar’s reign would come to an end in Daniel 5 with the hand writing on the wall.

Daniel 5:30-31 That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom at the age of sixty-two.

The Persian Empire was on the cusp of its greatest power. Darius I would rule from 522 BC to 486 BC. Under his leadership, this would be the largest empire known to man at that time. It was often referred to as “The Empire”. Historical dates provided by Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achaemenid_Empire

Wikipedia

The eastern border of The Empire was essentially the Indus River which runs through modern day Pakistan. The southern border in the eastern part of the empire was the 21st century Persian Gulf. The southern border extended west across what is northern Saudi Arabia into what is modern day Egypt and eastern Libya. The northern border ranged from what was the old Soviet republics in the east to the Balkans to modern day Turkey moving west. It is in the far northwest corner of the Achaemenid Empire where resistance was ultimately encountered in Macedonia or what we know as modern day Greece.

The Empire would come to an abrupt end as Gabriel is about to inform Daniel.

Leave a comment »

Gabriel’s Message: For the Time of the End

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels with tags , , , , , , , on June 14, 2020 by paulthepoke

Daniel 8:17b But he said to me, “Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.”

Gabriel is talking to Daniel while he is prostrate. Gabriel’s point is to reveal understanding and clarity.

Then Gabriel refers to Daniel as a “son of man”. This term has many applications. One, it refers to the humanity of an individual. Translated, it literally means “son of Adam”. Two, God uses this title frequently when addressing the prophet Ezekiel. The term is often associated as a calling card for a prophet. Lastly, Jesus frequently identified Himself as the “son of man”. This phrase is used over 80 times in the New Testament in reference to Christ. The term points to the humanity of Jesus and His office as a prophet.

Gabriel indicates the time point of the vision.

“…the vision is for the time of the end.”

Daniel 8:18 And when he had spoken to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. But he touched me and made me stand up.

Apparently Daniel was shaken to the point of a “deep sleep” by Gabriel’s approach and words. Daniel had not changed his physical position. He remained prostrate, until Gabriel helped him up off the ground.

wiki wallpaper

Daniel 8:19 He said, “Behold, I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end of the indignation, for it refers to the appointed time of the end.

In Gabriel’s introduction to Daniel, it is stated three times. This vision is about the end.

This time will not be pleasant. The time is translated and described in English as the “indignation”. This word does not do justice for the definition in Hebrew. The word is zaam. Other translations could include angry, rage, or fury. If a person is zaam, they are upset to the point of frothing at the mouth.

Challenging times are coming…

Leave a comment »

Daniel, Meet Gabriel

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels with tags , , , , , , , , on June 7, 2020 by paulthepoke

Daniel 8:16 And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.”

This is Gabriel’s formal introduction in the Old Testament. Gabriel is God’s chosen messenger to the prophet Daniel, who will document interpretation of visions.

Daniel reveals the time and place of the vision. The timing of the vision is revealed initially in Daniel 8.

Daniel 8:1 In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after that which appeared to me at the first.

Scholars and researchers estimate the date of the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar to be about 553 BC.

Granted, Daniel is physically in Babylon at the time of the vision. But, Daniel sees himself in a specific place.

Google Maps: Hamadan, Burial site of Esther & Mordechai

Daniel 8:2 And I saw in the vision; and when I saw, I was in Susa the citadel, which is in the province of Elam. And I saw in the vision, and I was at the Ulai canal.

Per the ATS Bible Dictionary, the Ulai or Euleus River flows by the city of Susa. It was known as the Choaspes by the Greeks. Today, it is called the Kerkhah River. The river is about a mile and a half east of Susa.

Susa was the headquarters of the ancient Persia and Media Empire. Ancient Susa is also known as Shush or Shushan.

Little did Daniel know, Susa would be the setting for the story of the book of Esther. The events in Esther took place from 483-473 BC. Queen Esther and Mordechai are buried in Hamadan, north of Susa to this very day in the 21st century Iran.

From Daniel’s vision in 553 BC to the onset of Esther’s trials in 483 BC is 70 years.

~

Daniel 8:15 When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it. And behold, there stood before me one having the appearance of a man.

Gabriel is introduced by the voice of a man. It seems Gabriel has the appearance of a man.

This is not just any man. The Hebrew word for “man” is geber. This is the term for a mighty warrior. It would seem that Gabriel is physically imposing.

Daniel has the same response to Gabriel as all the other people who meet him. There are two other people who would later meet Gabriel. They are Zechariah the priest and the Virgin Mary in the book of Luke. In all three cases, Gabriel scares the hell out of them.

Daniel 8:17a So he came near where I stood. And when he came, I was frightened and fell on my face…

Daniel was “frightened” or baath in the Hebrew. The word can also be translated as startled or terrified or overwhelmed (Strong’s Concordance). Other dictionaries use the word troubled.

Daniel also “fell on my face”. This is a sign of submission or reverence by Daniel. He realized he is in over his head.

Leave a comment »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »