Hebrews 4:11

Hebrews 4:11 says, Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.  This does not mean that we are to earn our salvation through our own efforts or labor.  I believe it means that after we accept Christ as Savior that we are to work to ensure that He remains our Lord.  Even in the everlasting rest that we have through Christ, we still have work to do today.  We are not to just sit back and wait for Christ's return.  Verse twelve adds, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  I am not sure that we always acknowledge the power of the word of God.  God does not need an arsenal or an army to accomplish His purpose.  What He spoke into existence, He can speak out of existence.  God's word is quick and powerful.  He doesn't have to state over and over what He wants to happen.  When God speaks, things happen immediately.  God's word also brings to light not only the actions of people, but their thoughts as well.  If we are doing good works for the wrong reason, which would be reason other than to bring glory to God, then God knows this already.  Verse thirteen continues, Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.  God is aware of what is happening in the world today.  We cannot hide any thought, much less any action, from God.  If we are obedient followers of Christ, then this should be of no concern to us.  It is only when we attempt to allow sin back into our lives that we should be concerned.  Verse fourteen states, Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  Jesus the Son of God is our high Priest in heaven.  Since the priest was the one who stood between man and God, we no longer have need of a earthly priest to serve in that capacity.  We can speak directly to God and He can speak directly to us through our faith in Christ.  Verse fifteen adds, For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Christ, our high Priest, understands our weaknesses, because He was in all points tempted as we are, but without giving in to those temperatures.  I do not believe that it could be stated more clearly that Jesus had the ability to sin, but He always chose to remain faithful to His heavenly Father.  The temptations of Christ were not role playing with the script and outcome already determined but were just as real as the temptations we face.  The only way that Christ could be totally human is if He had the free will to sin if He chose to.  Verse sixteen continues, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  We can come boldly to the throne of grace through our heavenly high Priest, Jesus Christ.  This does not mean that we can make selfish demands, but that we can come to God for strength and guidance.  If we are under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, then we will always ask for the right things.

Hebrews 4:1

Hebrews 4:1 says, Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.  This does not mean that those who truly believe in Christ as their Savior and Lord will be left out of God's kingdom.  It is a warning to those who do not truly accept Christ as their Savior and Lord, but only claim to do so.  Verse two adds, For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.  This verse simply states that hearing the gospel of Christ is not enough.  We must have complete faith in our salvation.  If we have really accepted Christ as Savior and Lord, then the Holy Spirit will be with us to guide and strengthen us through any trial or temptation.  Verse three continues, For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.  This is a promise of salvation, and it should leave those who believe at rest.  We cannot gain salvation by our works, but our salvation should lead us to work for God's glory.  Yet, even as we work, we should be at rest, secure in our salvation.  There is no reason to allow worry to control our lives.  The work of salvation was finished from the foundation of the world.  Though Jesus Christ was born at a particular place in time, His salvation applies for all time.  Verse four states, For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.  God created everything in six days, then He rested on the seventh day.  When it comes to salvation, we can rest from our works.  We cannot earn salvation, but we can rest assured in the gift of salvation through Christ.  Verse five adds, And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.  God rested after creating the heavens and the earth.  We cannot join God in His creating, but we can join Him at His rest.  This doesn't mean that there is nothing for us to do, but even if we have dominion over God's creation, it still occurs after He rested.  We are called to join God in His rest.  Verse six continues, Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:  There are still people to be reached for Christ, and this is our purpose as followers of Christ.  Though many have refused and still refuse to believe in the salvation of Christ, this does not mean that we are to give up on witnessing.  Verse seven says, Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.  Just as God told David, there is a day when each person will hear God calling him or her.  Though many will continue to harden their hearts against God, some will not.  Today is the only time we can be certain that we have, and that is why it is so important to say yes when God calls someone.  Verse eight adds, For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.  When we enter the rest of God, we do not need to speak of it happening someday.  After creating, God rested.  After redeeming mankind, Christ rested.  We as followers of Christ are to rest assured in our salvation.  Verse nine continues, There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.  We can only find true rest through our relationship with Christ.  Verse ten concludes, For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.  When we accept salvation through Christ, we cease from our works to justify ourselves.  We acknowledge that we cannot do anything to earn our salvation.  Though God is still at work in the world today calling the lost to salvation, creation and redemption are already completed.  As followers of Christ, we are to work to spread the gospel to others, but we are at rest in our salvation.

Hebrews 3:12

Hebrews 3:12 states, Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.  We are warned to not be as Israel was in the desert.  They hardened their hearts against God.  Again, this was a deliberate choice on their part.  We cannot follow God simply because He blesses us materially, but we must follow Him because He has delivered us from the power of sin.  Salvation is not about earthly riches, but is simply a matter of faith in God, no matter what.  We indeed do have an evil heart of unbelief if we depart from the living God.  This does not mean that we have lost our salvation, but if we are attempting to come to God by any method other than faith in Christ we are lost.  Also, if we are attempting to follow God for any reason than for the salvation of our souls, we are guilty of hardening our hearts.  We must be content and committed to following God, no matter what.  The people of Israel, in the desert after being delivered, looked at what they didn't have instead of praising God, and we can fall into the same attitude. Verse thirteen adds, But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  We are called on to exhort, or uplift, one another daily.  I believe that one way we can do this is through prayer.  When we begin to ignore our fellow believers, we begin to fall under the power of sin once more.  We are not saved simply so God will pour out material blessings on us.  Verse fourteen continues, For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;  We are told why we should uplift each other.   All who are saved are saved by faith in Christ and should hold fast until the end.  When we know that others are praying for and are concerned about us, it should help us to hold fast to our faith in times of trials.  Verse fifteen states, While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. I believe this means that as soon as we hear Christ call us, we should respond.  The only way to not accept His call is by hardening our hearts to His call.  Every day that we delay puts us in greater jeopardy of losing that salvation that Christ offers.  Verse sixteen adds, For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.  Though the majority did, not all of those who came out of Egypt provoked Moses.  A remnant believed.  Even if this remnant did not make it into the earthly Promised Land, they certainly will make it into the spiritual one, which is what really matters.  Verse seventeen continues, But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?  God was not grieved by all of those who were called His people, but only with those who had sinned due to a lack of real faith.  I believe that is one problem with a prosperity gospel.  People make professions of faith and expect God to give them anything that they claim as theirs.  When they don't get what they want, they turn away from God.  I also think that even when God blesses them that it will never be enough.  Verse eighteen says, And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?  Those who truly did not believe in God were denied admission into the Promised Land.  Verse nineteen adds, So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.  God did not fail them, but they failed Him.  We will never get into the coming Promised Land without a real faith in salvation through Christ.  Going through the motions is not enough.

HEB3:7 says, Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,  There is the call of the Holy Spirit to all people to listen to the word of God.  Though we have the responsibility of witnessing, it is the Holy Spirit Who prepares a person to hear and calls them to believe.  Today, or any day, if we will hear the voice of the Holy Spirit calling and will accept the salvation of Christ, we shall be saved.  Verse eight states, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:  We are told to not harden our hearts, which once more says that the choice is not predestined, but is ours.  In the wilderness, those who were called God's people often hardened their hearts against Moses and God.  We are called on to not be the same way.  Verse nine says, When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.  When their fathers, or ancestors, had hardened their hearts, they tempted and proved God when He showed them His works.  Still, it cost them forty years of wandering and a generation lost, never to enter the promised land.  When we tempt or demand proof from God that He is Who He says He is, instead of simply following Him by faith, it will cost us.  When we as followers of Christ doubt Him in any given situation, we are in effect in a spiritual wilderness.  Verse ten says, Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.  Even after God miraculously delivered them from captivity in Egypt, a generation was lost due to a lack of faith.  We might say that this was unfair to those who did believe, but at times those who do have faith in God suffer because of the actions of those who don't.  Still, when we remain faithful to God our salvation is assured.  Even when wandering in the wilderness, God had already delivered His people from slavery in Egypt and was providing for their needs.  When God delivers us from the bondage of sin through our faith in Christ we are forever free from the power of sin.  Yet, too often we complain and allow sin to enter into our lives.  Though we are still saved if we have put our faith in Christ, we will lose some of the joy of our salvation.  The people of Israel should have been rejoicing in their deliverance, but instead thought they would have been better off enslaved than uncertain of the future.  What they should have realized, as should we, is that God already knows the future, and He has assured us everlasting life through faith in Christ.  Verse eleven declares, So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)  Though the people of Israel had already been delivered physically, they still did not put their faith in God, so they lost their rest, or spiritual deliverance, through faith in Him.  Christ died for every person who ever lived or ever will live, but too many never accept so great a salvation.

Hebrews 3:1

Hebrews 3:1 says, Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;  If we are holy brethren, that does not mean that we are holy of our own merit.  We are holy only by the fact that we are set aside from the world for God because of our relationship with Christ.  Christ is the Apostle and high Priest of our calling.  Verse two adds, Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.  There is a comparison made between Moses and Christ, based simply on faithfulness to God.  Though Moses had great faith in God, his was an imperfect faith, whereas Christ lived in perfect obedience to the heavenly Father.  Verse three continues, For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.  Jesus Christ is indeed counted more worthy than Moses.  The house here refers to the followers of Christ.  Moses built his house, or family, on the promise of the coming of Christ.  Christ built His house with Himself as the foundation.  Though Moses was a great man of faith, he could not provide everlasting salvation for his house.  Verse four states, For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.  Whether we view these houses as literal structures or families, they are built by people and cannot last forever.  God is the builder of all things that last forever.  We often spend more of our time and resources on the things of this world than we do on the things of God.  As followers of Christ, we must put our emphasis on the things of God over the things of this world.  Verse five adds, And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;  This says that Moses was faithful in all his house.  We know that Moses did not have a perfect faith, but he did attempt to lead his family to faith in God.  It is our responsibility to do the same.  Verse six continues, But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.  Christ as the only begotten Son of God is indeed over His house, the church.  Our responsibility is to simply follow Him through faith.  Verse seven says, Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,  The people were called on to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit.  I believe that the only way to do that is to first hear His call to salvation by accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, and when we do, we are immediately indwelled by the Holy Spirit and can hear His voice guiding us in life.   Verse eight adds, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:  People were also called on to not harden their hearts against the call of the Holy Spirit as the people of Israel did in the wilderness.  God is always going to call people to Him, but too many harden their heart against His call.  It kept those people of Israel who did so out of the Promised Land, and if we harden our hearts against God today, it will keep us out of heaven.  Verse nine continues. When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.  The people of Israel were reminded that their fathers tempted God, but they still saw His works for forty years.  We should never tempt God, but I believe it is impossible to honestly deny His works.  Verse ten states. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.  God said He was grieved by that generation because they refused to acknowledge His ways.  God will always be grieved by those who refuse to acknowledge Him and accept His gift of salvation, but He will also give them the choice of whether to accept the gift of salvation.  If they don't. like the people in that day who refused to put their faith in God, they will never enter the Promised Land.  Verse eleven adds, So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)  as God said then, those who do not believe in Him and put their faith in Jesus Christ will never enter into His rest, or their heavenly home.

Hebrews 2:9

Hebrews 2:9 says, But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.  Jesus was made a little lower than the angels by the fact that he took on human form and could die.  Though He created the angels, Jesus was willing to suffer death as a human being in order to redeem mankind, that He also created.   We can finf salvation only through His sacrifice on the cross.   Verse ten adds, For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.  We are again told that Jesus made salvation available for all who would put their faith in Him by His suffering death on the cross.  We again need to acknowledge that He created everything in perfection, and then He sacrificed Himself, the only acceptable sacrifice, to redeem mankind after they fell away in sin.  He could have just started over, but He valued us enough to suffer and die for us.  Verse eleven continues, For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,  By His death on the cross, the Creator, Jesus Christ, made it possible for sinful mankind to be forgiven and become His brothers and sisters spiritually.  The choice is always up to each individual though.  Verse twelve declares, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.  This scripture is from Psalms 22:22.  Jesus said that He was not ashamed to call those who put their faith in Him as their personal Savior and Lord his brothers and sisters.  The question then becomes if we are ashamed to publicly call Him our Savior and therefore our Brother.  Verse thirteen adds, And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.  This scripture, I will put my trust in Him, is from Psalms 18:2 where David said in spite of all his troubles that he would continue to put his faith in God.  In His humanity, Jesus felt the same way as David, and so must we as Christians.  The second scripture, Behold the Children which God has given Me, is from Isaiah 8:18.  We as believers in Christ are the children that God has given to Jesus.  We are both the children of the Heavenly Father and the brothers and sisters of Christ, since the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are One God.  Someday, we may fully understand this, but really all we ever have to do is accept the fact by faith.  Verse fourteen continues, Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;   We are old that since we are partakers of the flesh, or human, that Jesus Himself became human so that He might defeat the power of death, and the Devil himself, who had the power of death over mankind.  Verse fifteen concludes, And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.  By His death on the cross, Jesus Christ made it possible for everyone to be freed from the power of sin and penalty of death if they will only accept Him as their personal Savior and Lord.  Verse sixteen says, For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.  Jesus did not take on the form of angels, who are mighty beings in order to bring salvation, but the form of the much weaker seed of Abraham, or man.  He subjected Himself to all the temptations and weaknesses that we have, but did o without sinning.  Verse seventeen adds, Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.  By becoming a Man Himself, Jesus made it possible to redeem mankind.  If He had not been able to sin if He so chose, then we would be held to a standard that is above us.  Verse eighteen continues, For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.  As we are told, since Jesus was tempted and overcame the temptation, He is now able to restore us to God when we give in to temptation.  Faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation.

Hebrews 2:1

Hebrews 2:1 says, Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.  The writer, and there is some debate whether it was Paul or another disciple, warns us to be diligent in our study of God's word.  It doesn't really matter who penned Hebrews, because as with all the Bible, God is the Author.  All scripture is given to help us better understand God.  Verse two adds, For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;  This would imply that the message of the angels is that every transgression and disobedience to God will be punished.  This would be a just recompense.  Verse three continues, How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;  How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?  The answer is that we will not.  If the angel's word is steadfast, then all sin will earn punishment, but through faith in Christ we can escape this punishment.  This is the great salvation, that Christ died for our sins.  Verse four states, God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?  God Himself bears witness to salvation through Christ.  The early disciples were witnesses to the truth of the gospel, as are we as followers of Christ today.  Verse five adds, For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.  The angels will not be in charge of the world to come, but Christ will.  There is coming that day when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  For some, those who do not accept Christ as Savior and Lord in this lifetime, it will be too late.  Verse six continues, But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?  Verse seven says, Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:  Then verse eight adds, Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.  This is a reference to Psalms 8:4-6.  Again, this points us to the need to know God's word if we are to be effective witnesses for Him.  When Christ came to earth, He was human in all aspects, a little lower than the angels.  Still, though it hasn't happened yet, everything is placed under subjection to Him.   We, as followers of Christ, should already and in all ways be under the subjection of His authority.

Hebrews 1:9

Hebrews 1:9 says, Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.  This is still speaking of Christ and His superiority over all of creation, both angels and people.  Jesus Christ did indeed love righteousness and hate iniquity in every action that He took.  As His followers, we are called to be the same, yet too often we still choose iniquity over righteousness.  Christ is the anointed Savior of mankind and the only way to salvation.  Verse ten adds, And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:  Christ, in the beginning, created the heavens and the earth.  We hear today about new planets being discovered, but they are not new.  They are a part of the creation of Christ.  We cannot truly believe in God if we do not accept that He is the Creator of all things.  I have heard some say that they are Christian evolutionists, but I do not believe that we can be both.  The account of creation in Genesis does not say that God evolved man from some other form of life, but that He created man from the dust of the earth.  The woman was created from the rib of the man.  Verse eleven continues, They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;  In this life, people will grow old and perish, but Christ is eternal.  We as His followers will one day cease to grow old and perish, but not until Christ returns to claim His church. Verse twelve states, And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.  We shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye, with an everlasting body, but Christ is already what He will always be.  Verse thirteen adds, But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?  Now, speaking of the angels again, we are told by this question that they are not equals of Christ, but are created beings just as people are.  Until the enemies of Christ are made His footstool He will be seated at the right hand of the heavenly Father.  I will never profess to totally understand the trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but I do know that we are told They are One.  Verse fourteen continues, Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?  This verse tells us that the angels are ministering spirits, sent to minister to the needs of those who have accepted salvation through Christ.  This doesn't say that angels were once sent forth, but that they are sent forth..  It also does not say that angels are sent to fulfill our wants but are sent to help meet our needs. 

 Verse nine says, Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.  Christ is the only person to live without sin.  As I have said before, I believe that Christ could have chosen to sin, to seek His own way, but He was always obedient to His heavenly Father.  If Christ was unable to sin even if He had wanted to, then we would be held to a false standard.  Verse ten states, And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:  Once more this is speaking about the eternal nature of Christ.  He was there at the beginning of the world and He will be there at the end.  Christ's righteousness is an eternal righteousness.  Verse eleven states, They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;  Matthew Henry says this refers to the fact that all of creation is growing old, but not Christ.  We can either put our faith in the world which will perish or in Christ Who is eternal.  Verse twelve says, And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.  This is then a reference to the new heaven and earth that will be ushered in with Christ's return.  All things will be made new.  In verse thirteen we read, But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?  This continues to declare the superiority of Christ over the angels.  They will not sit on the right hand of God, and neither will we.  Verse fourteen asks, Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?  The purpose of the angels is to obey the will of God and to minister to the followers of Christ, the heirs of salvation.  This does not say that they were sent forth, but that they are sent forth.  This would mean that angels are still at work today.

Hebrews 1:1

Hebrews 1:1 says, God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,  We have just seen in the book of Daniel some of the ways God spoke in the past to His prophets.  God spoke through dreams and signs, but He also spoke through events, such as the fiery furnace.  There could be little doubt that God was at work in such situations.  In those days, the priests and prophets were the  ones who spoke to the people for God and to God for the people.  Verse two says, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;  There was a change that occurred with the coming of Christ.  This says in the last days God spoke to us through His Son.  No matter how long it is until Christ returns again, since He came into the world we have been living in the last days.  Though this may have been a reference to the time immediately around the life of Christ, it does not change the fact that we are in the last days.  God speaks to those in the world through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.  We need no other signs to know God, and we have no other way to come to Him except through Christ.  Christ is both the heir of all things and the Creator of all things.  This simply speaks about the eternal nature and power of Christ.  He is both the Creator and Redeemer.  God speaks to us, not through signs and wonders, but through faith.  Even if signs and wonders do occur, without faith we will not recognize them, and through faith we will not need them.  Verse three states, Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;  Christ has already completed His act of redemption, once and for all time.  He died for those who put their faith in God and the coming Messiah who lived before He came, and for all those who put their faith in Him since.  Christ actually died as a Redeemer of all, but many will not accept His sacrifice, and they go away to everlasting punishment of their own choosing.  Christ now awaits for the time to be right for Him to return and claim those who are His.  Verse four declares, Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.  Christ is superior to the angels, because for all their power, angels, like people, are but created beings.  Christ is not a created being, but the eternal only begotten Son of God.  Verse five adds, For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?  This continues to explain the superiority of Christ over the angels that was brought up in verse four.  Here, the question is asked when did God say to any of the angels that they were His Son and that He had begotten them.  The answer is never.  Again, angels are but created beings, and are separate creations from people.  We will never go to heaven to be angels.  Verse six continues, And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.  When Christ, the first, and only, begotten, came into the world, the angels worshipped Him, because they recognized His superiority to them.  We must likewise recognize Christ's superiority to us, and simply obey and worship Him.  Verse seven states, And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.  I believe that by this question that God was stating that the angels know that they were created servants whose only real power comes from God.  This applies to people as well, and especially to those who are followers of Christ.  Verse eight adds, But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.  The angels know their place, and so does Christ.  As the only begotten Son of God, the scepter, or power, of righteousness is given to Him alone.  This is the scepter that separates the kingdom of God from the kingdom of this world.  Faith in Christ is the dividing line.  Those who do not put their faith in Christ as Savior and Lord will be forever cut off from His kingdom.  

As we continue to look at lessons learned from Daniel, we next need to realize that there are those who claim to have the ability to foretell the future based on some ability other than understanding God's word.  They will often outnumber those who truly speak for God.  They will also usually want to say what will make them look the best to those in power.  As followers of Christ, we can never allow ourselves to be caught up in simply endorsing the actions of those in power, especially when what they are doing goes against God's teachings.  We may live a longer and more prosperous life by doing so, but ultimately we will be held accountable for our actions.  Also, if we do find ourselves in positions of power, we must use those positions for God's glory and not our own.  Daniel never abused his position, but worked to benefit the king that he was serving at that time, so that God would be glorified by his actions.  We are never to use our position in life, weather it be great or small, simply from a selfish point of view.  I personally believe that this applies to nations as well as to individuals.  If God has blessed a nation, it is so that those less fortunate may be helped for the glory of God.  God does not value one group of people over another.  A person's relationship to Christ is all that matters.  Also, we need to understand that kingdoms, some good and some terrible, come and go, but God's kingdom is forever.  As followers of Christ, we are already a part of that kingdom.  One day, and nobody knows when, Christ will return to claim those that are His.  Next, we will look at the book of Hebrews.

Another lesson from the book of Daniel is that we may find ourselves in the fiery furnace because of our faith.  Shadach, Meshach and Abednigo were faithful to God, but God did not keep them out of the furnace.  If we begin to proclaim a gospel that states that God wants us happy, then there is no room for a fiery furnace experience.  God wants us faithful and we already have a promise of all the riches of heaven, but even there they will not be what is important.  I don't believe that this means that every follower of Christ will always be delivered in this life from every situation in which their faith is tried by fire, but their deliverance to everlasting life is always assured.  Many of the early New Testament Christians died horrible deaths because of their faith, but they will live forever with Christ.  We also need to remember that we are New Testament Christians, and we may have our faith tested.  If we do not have a faith that will lead us into the fire for the sake of our faith, then we may be weighed in the balance and found wanting.  Next, we need to realize the importance of prayer in the daily life of a follower of Christ.  Daniel could have prayed quietly or behind closed doors for thirty days and have avoided the lions den, but he chose to pray out where people could see, even if it meant going into the lions den.  It is not enough to silently worship God, even in the face of adversity.  As believers in God, all four could have died, but their everlasting fate was already secured because of their faith.  They were delivered for the glory of God.  As followers of Christ, our salvation is assured, so if we live through very dangerous situations that we are in because of our faith, it will always be for God's glory.  We also need to acknowledge that if God delivers us safely from these situations it is because we still have work to do for Him.

I believe that there are several things that we can learn from the book of Daniel.  The first is that just because we are a follower of Christ doesn't mean that we are always going to be successful and in power in this world.  The Jews, during Daniel's time were in captivity, and remained so for his lifetime.  We also need to understand that just because we may be offered better things by those in power does not mean that we should accept them if it means turning away from God.  Just as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego choose to not eat the kings meat in order to remain faithful to God, we must never accept the things of this world if they cause us to turn away from our faith in Christ.  There may be those today who proclaim that if Jesus were alive today that He would travel and live in style, but the truth is He could have done that during His lifetime if He so chose to.  Jesus came as a suffering Servant, and we are called to be like Him if we are His followers.  We are called to go into the world, even if we encounter those that we feel are demon possessed.  Our call is to reach out to even the demon possessed with the word of God, and God is more powerful than any demon will ever be.  Next, just as Daniel was given the ability to interpret dreams and visions that were messages from God, we today are given the ability to understand God's message to us.  Not all dreams and visions are messages from God, but if they are, then God will make the meaning known to us.  Daniel never had nor claimed to have any mystical power to interpret these dreams and visions, but was always quick to give God the credit for the interpretation.  We must also always give God the credit for all our success in understanding His word.  The Holy Spirit works within us to help us understand.  I do not believe that we will ever understand all that God's word has to teach us in this lifetime, because God is so much more knowledgeable than we will ever be, but we must always continue to study His word.

Daniel 12:8 says, And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?  The question so far had come from one of the angels, but now Daniel himself asked a question.  He did not understand what was being said.  If we find ourselves with questions about God's word, the best thing to do is go to the Source.  We may rely on other Christians or the writings of other Christians, but we need to look to God through the leadership of the Holy Spirit for the ultimate answer.  Verse nine declares, And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.  Daniel was not given a definite time frame for these things to happen, but was told to go his way.  Daniel was also told that the words were closed up and sealed until the time of the end, which I would interpret as the second coming of Christ.  I believe that we like Daniel must simply go our way until that time comes.  Our concern is to be living faithfully for Christ and spreading His gospel without concern about His return.  It is already an assured fact and will occur when God deems the time to be right.  It may be in our lifetime or not, but we are to live each day knowing that when the end comes we will be with God forever.  Verse ten says, Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.  I believe that this is a reference to being purified by faith in Christ, which is the only way to be purified before God.  Those who understand this are wise, but those who wicked will not understand salvation by faith in Christ alone.  It is not that they cannot understand, but that they will not.  Verse eleven states, And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.  This seems to be a reference to the time of the rule of the antichrist immediately before the return of Christ.  It will be a terrible, but limited time.  Those who remain faithful to God may suffer terribly, but the suffering will be but temporary, whereas the deliverance will be everlasting.  Verse twelve declares, Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.  Those who remain faithful during this time will be blessed, not because of their suffering, but because of their faith.  Verse thirteen states, But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.  Daniel was told to go his way and wait.  He would be dead long before these prophecies came to pass, but his resurrection was assured at the end of the days, the second coming of Christ.  We today need to go our way till the end, whether it be in our lifetime or years after our death.  Our victory, like that of Daniel, is assured either way.

Daniel 12:5 says, Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.  Daniel had seen and heard one angel, Gabriel, but he now saw two others.  One was on each side of the river.  I believe that what we need to realize is that God is not limited in the number of angels that can be at work in the world at any one time.  I believe that we also need to realize that we will never be angels.  Angels were created as angels before mankind existed.  We will always be simply people redeemed by Christ.  Verse six states, And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?  Matthew Henry says the man clothed in linen stranding on the waters was Christ.  Since I believe Daniel was now seeing into the future to the time of the second coming, I believe this would be accurate.  There  is no king to associate what Daniel was seeing with.  The angels asked how long it would be before they saw these wonders.  Matthew Henry says their question was out of concern for the church and not just idle curiosity.  Verse seven says, And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.  The answer came from the One clothed in linen.   Matthew Henry said there were various interpretations of how long this time would be, but one is an indefinite period of time.  He then attempts to associate the time with a particular period of time around the end of the rule of Antiochus, but states that no time in history aligns perfectly.  We do know that God's people will have been scattered, then all these things will be finished.  Whether we see this as a time in history that has already occurred or a prophecy about the second coming of Christ, we know that the church has been scattered and that at the second coming all things of this earth shall end.  We need only to remain faithful to God until He calls us home.

Daniel 12:1 says, And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.  After all the prophesies of doom and destruction that would often come to God's people, there is now a prophecy of hope.  We know that not only was there a time of trouble for God's people in the time before Christ came and immediately thereafter,, but also that it will get worse before Christ returns again.  Matthew Henry says that those written in the book of life were written in before creation and would remain written in after the destruction of the world.  As I have stated many times, I do not believe that some people are destined to be saved and others doomed even before they are born, so I would say that a person's name is written in the book of life at the time that person accepts Christ as Savior and Lord.  In the Old Testament they entered into a relationship with God looking ahead to the coming Messiah, and since Jesus, the Messiah, came, we look back to His sacrifice on the cross.  The Bible tells us that faith in Christ is the only way to salvation, and that each person must make a decision whether to accept or reject Him.  Verse two states, And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.  This is a definite reference to the second coming of Christ.  The dead shall rise, some to everlasting life with God through their faith in Christ, and all others to everlasting contempt.  Again, if all this was predetermined, then there would be no purpose to anything that happens in this life.  Verse three states, And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.  I believe that this means that those who believe in Christ will shine in His presence, and especially those that reached others for Him.  Verse four says, But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.  Daniel was told to seal the book until the time of the end.  At the appointed time, it would be opened and understood.  The same is true of the second coming of Christ.  The time is determined, but we do not know when that will be, and no amount of studying will ever reveal that day to us.  We need to simply live as though today is the day.

Daniel 11:38 says, 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 said this king would honor the god of forces and a god he created, since his fathers did not know this god.  Unlike most rulers before him, he did not allow the worship of any god except the one he created.  There are countries today who worship false gods and deny people the right to worship any other.  Verse thirty-nine states, 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.  He would be prosperous in his following of this god he created.  Verse forty states, 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.  Matthew Henry says this was most likely a fourth battle with Egypt, when Antiochus basically just plundered their riches.  I believe it is safe to say that he was feeling indestructible.  When rulers begin to feel this way, especially those that do not acknowledge God, then they feel that they have the right to do whatever they please to do.  Verse forty-one says, He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.  He will enter that glorious land, Israel, and will overthrow many countries, but some will escape.  By claiming Israel, he will really think himself all powerful.  Verse forty-two states, He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.  Then verse forty-three says, But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.  Once more, it seems that he is unstoppable.  He has gained not only territory, but also great resources.  Resources still lead to wars today.  The concern may not be as much for occupying the land as it is for claiming a right to the resources.  Verse forty-four declares, But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.  He will receive word about some rising against him and will be troubled by this.  Verse forty-five states, And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.  Matthew Henry states that during this time that Antiochus will really begin to punish the Jews, but when he begins to fall no one will come to his aid and his reign will end.  This should be a prophecy of hope for God's people.  Even though things would be bad for them for many years, God would still be with them.  Today, no matter how bad things may get in the world, God is still the ultimate victor, as are those who put their faith in Christ.  This should always bring us hope and comfort.

Daniel 11:31 says, At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.  Having been successful before, Antiochus would again go to war with Egypt, but Ptolemaeus Philometer will have aligned himself with the Romans, so Antiochus would not succeed.  When Daniel made this prophecy, these kings would not come to power for years.  Daniel did not give their names, and I refer to Matthew Henry to provide them.  What we must understand is that we look back on what Daniel looked ahead to.  God's prophecy through Daniel was fulfilled in this part.  Verse thirty states, For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.  Being defeated, Antiochus will return home and begin to take out his anger against the holy covenant, or God's people.  Verse thirty-one declares, And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.  Antiochus would take away daily sacrifices to God, or worship experiences, and would pollute the sanctuary of God.  In much of the world today, it is illegal to worship God, and some of these places are very powerful nations.  What we need to remember is that their power and their days are limited.  Verse thirty-two says, And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.  Even as Antiochus is at war against God and His people, the people that know God will remain strong.  I believe this is where those who are God's people in name only are separated from those who truly follow Him.  If we are in a position of having to follow the dictates of the world or the commandments of God, we need to pray for the strength to follow God.  Verse thirty-three says, And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.  There will be God's people who attempt to teach others about God, but they will be persecuted, even tortured and killed, for their efforts.  We can never allow fear to stop us from witnessing for God.  Verse thirty-four says, Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.  When God's people seemed to be successful, there would be those who came to them flattering them, but they would not truly believe in God.  There will always be those who will speak highly of Christians if they think it will benefit them, but they will soon abandon them if hardships come.  Verse thirty-five states, And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.  Daniel was told that some of God's people would fall to try them and to purge those that professed to believe in God from those who really did.  It is easy to say we follow God when it doesn't cost us anything or even benefit us in some way.  Verse thirty-six says, 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.  Matthew Henry states that many see this as a beginning reference to the anti-christ, with Anteochus being the prototype.  While God's people were suffering, the king would exalt himself and speak boldly against God.  This continues even today.  There are even those within countries that profess to believe in God that speak boldly against God and still prosper.  What we must remember is that our relationship with God is not just about life here, but about the everlasting relationship with God.  Verse thirty-seven says, 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.  This king would worship himself above all else.  I guess we could say that he was a real ego maniac.

Daniel 11:21 says, And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.   Matthew Henry says these next few verses refer to the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, the little horn spoken of before (Dan 8:9) a sworn enemy to the Jewish religion, and a bitter persecutor of those that adhered to it. He added that "What troubles the Jews met with in the reigns of the Persian kings were not so particularly foretold to Daniel as these, because then they had living prophets with them, Haggai and Zechariah, to encourage them; but these troubles in the days of Antiochus were foretold, because, before that time, prophecy would cease, and they would find it necessary to have recourse to the written word."  He would come to power not by military might but by flattery, or trickery.  Even today, there are those who use flattery and deceit to gain power in the world.  Verse twenty-two states, And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.  Matthew Henry says this refers to an uprising against Antiochus Epiphanes, during which the rightful heir, his nephew, was killed.  Verse twenty-three says, And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.  He would make a league with others by being deceitful and would become strong with a small people.  He will use those without much power to gain control of the country for himself.  Verse twenty-four states, He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.  Unlike those before him, he will scatter, or share, the wealth.  Many times today, rulers come into power by appealing to those who feel powerless and treating them well for a time, but then turning their backs on them.  Verse twenty-five states, And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.  The king of the south, Ptolemaeus Philometer, would go to war against the king of the north, Antiochus,, but would lose.  Verse twenty-six states,  Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.  Part of the reason that the king of the south failed was because he was betrayed by his own people.  Verse twenty-seven says, And both these kings’ hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.  The two kings would get together to declare peace, but neither would be sincere.  We often hear of cease fires in wars, or conflicts, today that do not last because either one or both of the sides are not sincere in their negotiations.  Verse thirty declares, Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.  Antiochus would gain great riches, but his heart would be against the holy covenant, or God and His people.  Though there are rulers who gain great power today, if they stand against God and His people, their doom is already assured.

Daniel 11:15 says, So 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.  We will continue to see this ebb and flow of power back and forth during this period of history, much like we see in the world today.  What we must realize is that God was still in control of the ultimate outcome.  The king of the north was again attacking the king of the south.  Verse sixteen states, But he that cometh 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.  In victory, the king of the north would do as he pleased, and Judah, the glorious land of God's people, would be caught in the middle.  God's people are still often caught in the middle of conflicts today, but that does not mean that God has failed.  God's victory is assured.  Verse seventeen says, 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.  The people of God would stand with this ruler.  He would attempt to secure his position through the marriage of his daughter, but she would turn against him and side with her husband.  I believe that what this says to us today is that the plans of people shall fail, but God's plan never will.  We cannot attempt to force our plans on to God's plan.  Verse eighteen states, 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.  Matthew Henry says that in taking the isles that this king went to war with the Greeks and Romans.  Verse nineteen declares, Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.  Being defeated, he had to return to his own land and pay tribute to those who defeated him.  Verse twenty then states, Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.  Having to raise taxes to pay the tribute, this king would not fall in battle, but at the hands of his own people.  I believe that we can say that God does not need armies to accomplish His will, but it often comes about from within a kingdom itself, with people rising up against their oppressive rulers.

Daniel 11:9 says, So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.  Matthew Henry says that due to disputes in his own kingdom that this ruler, most likely Ptolmey, had to return to his own land.  Verse ten states, But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress.  Again, Matthew Henry says these are two sons of the defeated king of the north.  They would be stirred up to reclaim their kingdom, though one would only live a couple of years.  The second would be Antiochus the Great and he would rule for thirty seven years.  These are still just prophecies being fulfilled, which is what we need to understand today.  We really don't have to know all the names and dates, though it is good if we do, but we do need to acknowledge that God's prophecies did come to pass then and will in the future.  Verse eleven says, And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.  Verse twelve states, And when he hath taken away the multitude, his thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.  The king of the south will briefly be victorious again, but this will not last long.  Matthew Henry says this was Ptolemaeus Philopater, who was moved with indignation at the indignities done by Antiochus the Great.  Verse thirteen says, For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.  The king of the north will return with greater power than before.  Again, we can look back and see these kings and kingdoms as they rose and fell, but Daniel was looking ahead.  We today may attempt to assign names to the kingdoms involved in the wars before the second coming of Christ, but that is not the main concern.  Just as Daniel was not given the names of these kings and kingdoms, but only the assurance that they would come to and fall from power, we can be just as certain of Christ's return at God's appointed time.  Verse fourteen says, And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.  Matthew Henry says that the Jewish people would willingly align themselves with the king of the north in an attempt to fulfill the prophecy of Daniel, but they would fall.  We cannot force our interpretation onto God's prophecies.

Daniel 11:1 says, Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.  We are continuing in the progression of Daniel's life.  Darius, the Mede, is now ruler, and Daniel stood to confirm and strengthen him.  Matthew Henry seems to imply that the person speaking here is the angel, but since it says "I stood" and not "he stood," then I believe that Daniel was speaking.  Though God does send His angels to aid in His work, He most often works through His followers.  Verse two states, And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.  Again, we can interpret this as Daniel speaking to Darius or as an angel speaking to Daniel, but since we have no statement that this was a dream or vision, I believe it was Daniel speaking.  We know that Daniel was never afraid to speak God's word, or prophecies to any ruler.  Either way, the prophecy spoke of four kings of Persia, the last of which was to be the greatest.  Matthew Henry says this was most likely Xerxes, whose wealth and power came to the attention of the Greeks.  Verse three declares, And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.  Matthew Henry says that most agree that this was was Alexander the Great, who conquered most of the known world.  He would have great power during his lifetime, but the kingdom would be divided after his death.  Verse four says, And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.  Though he would be a mighty king, his kingdom would be divided after his death.  Alexander the Great would be worshipped as a god.  No matter how much power a ruler has today, and some are considered gods, their end is certain.  Only God's kingdom will remain.  Verse five states, And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.  Matthew Henry says that the two kingdoms would be Egypt and Syria.  Verse six states, 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.  There was an attempt to unite the two kingdoms through marriage.  Verse seven states, But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail:  Verse eight continues, And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.  Matthew Henry says that this was the brother of the king's daughter who attempted to establish the alliance between the kingdoms.  What we can say with certainty is that these kingdoms rose and fell according to Daniel's prophesy.