Hello Friends!
Welcome back to our Encouraging Concepts Bible study series focused on the powerfully PROPHETIC picture portrayed in the Old Testament book of Daniel painted as a panoramic landscape of World History in FIVE successions “written” in ardent ADVANCE some 2,600 years ago… “The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE!”
The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE (Chapter 11: Verses 36-39)
36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. 37 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. 38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. 39 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 – Daniel 11:36-39
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: The Roman ranking Herodian henchmen heralded in HISTORY are immensely important regarding their ruling relationship to the “Jewish” sect of “people” during the terrible “times of the Gentiles” in perfect PROPHECY provided. These are definitely the dark “days” of determined DESTRUCTION to which “Daniel” was deeply CONCERND pertaining to his vivid “visions” of their – FUTURE Fate Foretold!
Great “GAP” Gorge?
Most ALL incited modern-day interpretations incited TODAY addressing these poignant “passages” penned within this very challenging chapter take a giant leap FORWARD at this point in “time” by intently inserting a seismic chasm BETWEEN the vital vestige of verse 35 and verse 36 moving some 2,000+ years into the foisted FUTURE assuming an anticipated “antichrist” one-world dictator to come. And when a gargantuan “GAP” of assumed “time” is neglectfully injected into the Sovereignly allotted “seventy weeks” of the HISTORICAL narrative to which was aptly “appointed” unto the nigh “nation of Israel” in the right REVELATION received by “Daniel” dully described in chapter 9 these folks feel quite justified in placing guided “GAPS” ensued elsewhere within – Holy Writ!
Incidentally, with such INTENTIONALLY instigated “GAPS” included, these ensuing expositors doggedly DENY us of our great “God’s” wonderful FULFILLMENT as perfectly promised and thus dastardly DEMOTE our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” of His great GLORY granted. And in turn, keep their opinionated OPTIONS wide open for immense eschatological cunning CONJECTURE and sordid – Surmised SPECULATIONS!
A KILLER King!
Up to this pivotal point in our serious “study” through the book of “Daniel” these perfect PROPHETIC plans have run as a continuous chronological narrative surrounding the pragmatic POLITICS adamantly indicting “Israel” itself. And the only cantankerous “king” presiding in POLITICAL power when this insidious “indignation” was aptly “accomplished” as such was none other than the heinous – Herod Agrippa II!
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: And although Herod was a vassal “king” of the Roman rite, the “Scriptures” rightly refer unto “him” wholly as “Herod the king” within the New Testament narrative…
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem… When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him… When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was… – Matthew 2:1, 3 & 9
“Herod the king” had affected “Daniel’s” pious “people” much MORE than the preceding conquering “kings” themselves combined together. And as aptly discovered, “Daniel” diligently DETAILS the Divine directives concerning Berenice and Antiochus along with other ranking “king” rulers to come…
And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times – Daniel 11:6
Therefore, Herod the Great simply must NOT be intentionally ignored in this HISTORICAL account. He was an important instigating “king” of whom had ARRIVED on the sordid scene succinctly as the Hasmonean period had ENDED entirely. His demonic DYNASTY was very critical within Biblical & Secular HISTORY heralds concerning “Israel” as a whole. And as having already been intently introduced to the rank Roman rite earlier in chapter 2, chapter 7 and chapter 9 by the prophet “Daniel” succinctly, there is NO doubt about it – Herod HOLDS!
Herod the Great!
Now, let’s carefully CONSIDER the following resolute reasons to rightly REJECT the guided “GAP” theory and wholly HISTORICALLY hold that Herod was indeed “the king” harkening “his will” alone as spoken SPECIFICALLY of here as Divinely “determined” in this particularly painted PROPHETIC picture…
And 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 – Daniel 11:36
HISTORICAL HINTS: This very vivid verse in its continuing CONTEXT is introduced with the conjunction word “And” indicating further CONTINUITY to consider. The “king” denoted here is NOT designated as coming from the “north” region of Syria nor from the “south” region of Egypt below. Rather, this man is a dastardly DIFFERENT dictator as “the” defined definite article designates this particular “king” by which the PROPHECY firmly focuses on a SPECIFIC heralded “he” held. The “king” noted here without a modifier must be one set over “Daniel’s” particular “people” as a POLITICAL principled “king of the Jews” proclaimed. Incidentally, the “Jews” themselves had NO official reigning “king” ruling over them AFTER the brandish “Babylonian” brigade was disbanded HISTORICALLY speaking – UNTIL Herod!
Herod did all “according to his will” in that he DEFEATED all his enemies and would become the “king of Judea” himself – WICKED Will!
Herod did eagerly “exalt himself” as he was NOT made to be “king” by the election process. Rather, he intently INSISTED of it through Antony and Octavian along with the Roman senate seats – FRAUD Fest!
Herod did manically “magnify himself above every god” [ruler] having had appointed them and deposed of them as “he” sought appropriate. He also KILLED the presiding “Priests” purposed by “God” over insolent “Israel” in kind – KILLER King!
Herod did sordidly “speak marvelous things against the God of gods” in piously promoted the pantheon of Greek and Roman demonized DEITIES including Caesar himself. And he DESTROYED Bethlehem’s male babies in a satanic siege to elusively – EXECUTE God!
Herod did personally “prosper” throughout his dynasty UNTIL the intended “indignation be accomplished” of which GOD Himself had Divinely “determined” was indeed “done” dastardly complete in the year – 70 A.D.
Indeed “Herod the king” had various AMBITIONS and was involved in many building projects financed through his great WEALTH held. He had personally committed horrible ATROCITIES and absolutely NO one had wholly – HINDERED Him!
Having NO Regard!
“Neither” would Herod the Great in his personal POLITICAL ambitions rankly “regard the God of his fathers” nor the deep “desire of women” towards ANY real religion other than “himself” to be “magnified” in apt authority over absolutely “all ” things:
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 – Daniel 11:37
HISTORICAL HINTS: As an Edomite ensued from the WICKED line of “Esau” having been “circumcised” by fleshly force along with the other “people” of that subjected nation, Herod was a jaded “Gentile” ruler and sordid “son of Abraham” accordingly, thus making Jehovah Himself the great “God of his fathers” of Whom “he” definitely did NOT rightly “regard” as such. However, “Herod” indeed DID rashly “regard” pagan DEITIES as gangly “gods” granted. And “Herod the king” habitually heralded the “Jews” in using the expression “our fathers” of which indicates “God” was the great “God of Israel” alone. Incidentally, “he” had rankly REBUILT the tormented “temple” for his OWN glory and to aptly APPEASE the jaundice “Jews” of whom HATED their egocentric – Edomite Emperor!
Herod had no such sympathy for the deep “desire of women” of which dully DENOTES here the physical bearing of children, ESPECIALLY the mandated Messiah Himself. Therefore, this particular phrase “nor the desire of women” can be interpreted as a subjective-genitive or an objective-genitive determined by the CONTEXT considered. Therefore, in this case “Herod” loosely loved women (objective-genitive). However, he REJECTED their love of children (subjective-genitive) succinctly – CONTEXT Captured!
Herod had first sided with Julius Caesar and then with Marc Antony & Cleopatra and then with Octavian outwardly in the most deceptive
dastard DIPLOMACIES to pridefully protect and promote
his own personal ambition to duly DOMINATE insolent
“Israel” completely. His
paternal father Antipater was a close FRIEND of the godly gentleman John Hyrcanus II of whom was the final
holy Hasmonean ruler as
principled “priest of Israel”
in line. And “Herod the king”
had elusively EXECUTED
their other leaders such as Aristobulus
III and Aristobulus IV
and Antigonus along with his OWN wife named Mariamne and relatives
of kin AND any other SUSPECTED competitor. WHY?
Because this horrible “Herod”
satanically “sought” to entirely ELIMINATE any remaining remnants of this
fine – Family of ISRAEL!
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: In fact, “he” personally KILLED the “children” of beguiled “Bethlehem” and thoroughly throughout the surrounding “coasts” that were “two years old and under” just as PROPHECY perfectly promised…
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not – Matthew 2:16-18
Thus saith the Lord; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not – Jeremiah 31:15
Incidentally, it is noted in antiquity that Caesar Augustus as the personal FRIEND of the heinous “Herod” has said:
“I would rather be Herod’s pig than his son!”
And “Herod the king” holdened unto his OWN fickle followers formed as Herodians of whom counted “him” as the maniacal – MESSIAH of Israel!
Reaching for ROME!
“But” here Herod had hallowed “his” Herodian “honor” unto the Roman Empire as the gross “god” of human government to surely SECURE the sanctioned SUPPORT for his purposed personal and pragmatic political ambitions:
But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things – Daniel 11:38
HISTORICAL HINTS: There was NO emerging Empire or notable nation in all of human HISTORY that utilized their military “forces” quite like the Roman rite. And when Herod was completely chased OUT from the jurisdiction of jaded Judea by the antiquated Antigonus and the Parthians in the year 40 B.C. he worked his way towards his reckoned – Roman REFUGE!
Herod definitely did NOT wholly “honor” the TRUE great “God of forces” as the Holy Jehovah Himself. However, he DID grant his allured ALLEGIANCE to the pagan Roman rulers rote “with gold, and silver” to include “precious stones” along with other “pleasant things” as such. He potently PURCHASED his support with great GIFTS given to Antony and then Augustus placing his full TRUST in mighty man-made military fighting “forces” to confidently conquer “his” caustic competitors – Evil ELIMINATION!
Herod definitely DID hastily “honor” the jaded Julius Caesar of whom was made to be “Pontifex Maximus” seated as the “Supreme Priest” in the year 63 B.C. follow by Caesar Augustus as the SAME sort in the year 12 B.C. in kind. And Julius Caesar was eventually referred to as a “god” after the year 44 B.C. when a comet apparently appeared at the games in his “honor” heralded. Incidentally, Augustus of whom had actually been adopted by the Caesar in his personal will, became known as divi filius meaning – Son of a god!
Herod is known in HISTORY for building many fortresses “for” himself, with some being aggressively ATTACHED to the “temple of God” presiding in “Jerusalem” itself. And a great tower touted in the “temple” was named “Antonia” with a subsequent seaport called “Caesarea” along with the Masada mount. He built multiple modalities touted throughout the region in high “honor” of the heralded Augustus with these new cities being coined as – “Caesareas!”
These giving of great GIFTS as an “honor” held upon the rulers of ranking Rome are legendary – Perfect PROPHECY!
Superstitious STRANGE God!
“Thus” this horrible Herod had boldly built stern “strong holds” and piously PROMOTED the gruesome “glory” of the superstitious satanic “strange god” reminiscent of the Roman roosted “rule over many” posted within Palestine for his OWN evil ends:
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 – Daniel 11:39
HISTORICAL HINTS: The rebuilt torrid “temple” of this heinous Herod was the most magnificent building in the WORLD by far in its tremendous SIZE and guarded “glory” grandeur. The immense economic and prideful political pragmatic POWER of this maniacal man and his “kingdom” are indeed HISTORICALLY held via a plethora of DOCUMENTED dictates that “he” would decidedly “do” abroad. In fact, General Titus himself had witnessed the maligning montage of MANY impregnable stark “strong holds” that were intently imbedded throughout the “land” and within “Jerusalem” itself – ATTACHED to the Temple!
Herod had personally promoted the rank Romans as the arranged authority over the “people” of whom he “ruled” rigorously, dolling out “land” and loot to those who SUPPORTED him in order to SECURE their aptly allegiance anticipated. He even NAMED certain “strong holds” after these accomplices such as Antonia fostered in “Jerusalem” in honor of Antony along with chided “cities” such as Caesarea named affectionately – AFTER Augustus!
Herod had sanctimoniously saluted a sadistic “strange god” as the Roman Empire of whom he would “acknowledge and increase” abundantly to the extent of placing an Eagle ensign over the “temple” entrance to CAPITULATE completely – Caesar Augustus!
PROPHETIC PROMISE: As the Sovereignly solemn “scriptures” have PROPHETCIALLY proclaimed, this heinous HISTORICAL henchman named Herod aptly appointed “his” chosen dire deputies and pious priests along with any other “ruler” just as “he” saw FIT for “his” ominous OWN granted “gain” garnered within a sordid – SATANIC system!
For Further Personal Study:
Please refer to the links below to satisfy and stimulate your serious “study” of the “Word of God” faithfully fulfilling this wonderful PROPHECY picture promised within the HISTORY of humanity. The meditative material found within these PURPOSED pages points to merely an outline sketch. Every detailed clause of these perfect PROMISES can be vehemently VERIFIED from a poised plethora of sincere sources with as much illumined EVIDENCE as a fair person could ever want – At the CLICK of a Mouse!
There is NO other heralded HISTORY with as much detail and accuracy as this powerful PROPHECY given by “Gabriel” unto the devoted “Daniel” a full 10 - 520 years BEFORE these specified events had occurred – HISTORY Held!
Our great “God” has CHALLENGED all of whom solemnly seek to confidently “consider” His TRUTH terrifically told…
Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together. Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you – Isaiah 41:21-24
The short & reliable HISTORY concerning the “fourth kingdom” represented by Roman rule by the Herods and Caesars through the years 31 B.C. – 14 A.D. including the tumultuous “times” of the Incarnation (life & ministry) of our “Lord Jesus Christ” are outlined here:
Herod the Great ~ http://www.bible-history.com/herod_the_great/index.html
Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!We
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Shane K. Morin <><
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"
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