This is an A.I. generated summation of the e-book  "Where The Carcase Is" - by Hiraeth

Chapter 1. 

Daniel's Chapters: The Oracles of God - 

Diving into the Deep:

Unlocking God's Oracles

Let's embark on an exciting journey beneath the surface of the Holy Scriptures. We'll uncover the powerful works of God that have unfolded over centuries, proving His words are absolute and unchanging. To start, we'll turn to the New Testament book of Hebrews, chapter 5, verses 11-14 Hebrews 5:11-14. These verses challenge us—modern Christians—to revisit the foundational truths from the ancient prophets.

Unpacking Hebrews 5:11-14

These passages urge us to grow beyond basic teachings and dive into deeper spiritual insights. Here's a breakdown of each verse, explained in simple terms while preserving the original depth.

Verse 11: The Challenge of Deep Truths

"OF WHOM WE HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY, AND HARD TO BE UTTERED, SEEING YE ARE DULL OF HEARING."

This refers to Jesus Christ and matters surrounding Him. The writer has much to share, but it's tough to explain because the audience is slow to grasp spiritual truths—they're sluggish in perception, lacking spiritual vitality.

Verse 12: Back to Basics

"FOR WHEN FOR THE TIME YE OUGHT TO BE TEACHERS YE HAVE NEED THAT ONE TEACH YOU AGAIN WHICH BE THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THE ORACLES OF GOD; AND ARE BECOME SUCH AS HAVE NEED OF MILK, AND NOT OF STRONG MEAT."

By now, you should be teaching others, but instead, you need reteaching on the basics—the first principles of God's oracles. These "oracles" are divine messages from wise prophets like Daniel, laying foundations for future events. You've stuck with easy, milk-like teachings and aren't ready for solid, challenging "meat" that requires effort to digest.

Echoes in the Old Testament

Similar warnings appear in the Old Testament, like in Isaiah 28:5-13 Isaiah 28:5-13, 29:9-24 Isaiah 29:9-24, and 30:20-21 Isaiah 30:20-21. Isaiah criticises teachers—priests or prophets—who stumble in judgement, intoxicated by self-importance. Their rigid doctrines twist God's advancing truths, trapping people in man-made rituals.

Instead, let's move forward: Open the Bible, truly read and hear God. Avoid mere lip service to human precepts that turn everything upside down. Listen to the Comforter's voice in these words, understanding them directly, not through distorted teachings.

The Book's Title and Purpose

This book, Where the Carcase Is, draws from Matthew 24:28 Matthew 24:28: "FOR WHERESOEVER THE CARCASE IS, THERE WILL THE EAGLES BE GATHERED TOGETHER." It points to the remnants of the Hebrew/Israelite nations scattered across the earth as the 20th century ends, revealing where to find them today.

The Bible's 66 books chronicle this nation's real history—both secular and spiritual—through actual people and events. Dismiss any notion of it as mere poetry or fairy tales. We must explore both the natural history and the supernatural side, which run parallel. Many shy away from the supernatural, fearing it as unreal, but it's essential. Remove it from the Bible, and you're left with empty covers.

From God's declaration in Genesis—"LET US MAKE MAN IN OUR OWN IMAGE, AFTER OUR LIKENESS"—the supernatural has intertwined with the natural. It's not ghosts or goblins; it's the factual realm that drives our world. The Bible's story demands wholeness: Nature shows unity in all things, from massive creatures to tiny insects, and we're part of that interconnected scheme. The Scriptures have always hinted at life's deeper layers.

The Core of God's Oracles: Daniel's Role

At the heart of these oracles is the prophet Daniel, entrusted with blueprints for prophecies that confirm absolute truth. Most know Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel chapter 2 Daniel 2, but parts were sealed until our time.

Daniel's prayer of thanks highlights God's sovereignty: Daniel 2:20-22 Daniel 2:20-22.

• Verse 20: "DANIEL ANSWERED AND SAID, BLESSED BE THE NAME OF GOD FOR EVER AND EVER; FOR WISDOM AND MIGHT ARE HIS."

• Verse 21: "AND HE CHANGETH THE TIMES AND THE SEASONS; HE REMOVETH KINGS, AND SETTETH UP KINGS; HE GIVETH WISDOM UNTO THE WISE, AND KNOWLEDGE TO THEM THAT KNOW UNDERSTANDING."

• Verse 22: "HE REVEALETH THE DEEP AND SECRET THINGS; HE KNOWETH WHAT IS IN THE DARKNESS, AND THE LIGHT DWELLETH WITH HIM."

Daniel's book unfolds God's rule through history, with dates, times, and figures fulfilling prophecies in human kingdoms.

Nebuchadnezzar's Dream: A Vision of Empires

The dream reveals successive world empires: Daniel 2:31-35 Daniel 2:31-35.

• Verse 31: "THOU O KING, SAWEST, AND BEHOLD A GREAT IMAGE, WHOSE BRIGHTNESS WAS EXCELLENT, STOOD BEFORE THEE; AND THE FORM THEREOF WAS TERRIBLE."

• Verse 32: "THIS IMAGES HEAD WAS OF FINE GOLD, HIS BREAST AND ARMS OF SILVER, HIS BELLY AND HIS THIGHS OF BRASS."

• Verse 33: "HIS LEGS OF IRON, HIS FEET PART OF IRON AND PART OF CLAY."

• Verse 34: "THOU SAWEST TILL THAT A STONE WAS CUT OUT WITHOUT HANDS, WHICH SMOTE THE IMAGE UPON THE FEET THAT WERE OF IRON AND CLAY, AND BRAKE THEM IN PIECES."

• Verse 35: "THEN WAS THE IRON, THE CLAY, THE BRASS, THE SILVER, AND THE GOLD, BROKEN TO PIECES TOGETHER, AND BECAME LIKE THE CHAFF OF THE SUMMER THRESHING FLOORS; AND THE WIND CARRIED THEM AWAY, THAT NO PLACE WAS FOUND FOR THEM; AND THE STONE THAT SMOTE THE IMAGE BECAME A GREAT MOUNTAIN, AND FILLED THE WHOLE EARTH."

Decoding the Empires

In summary (from verses 37-45):

• Head of Gold: Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon (verses 37-38).

• Breast and Arms of Silver: Medo-Persian Empire, conquerors of Babylon (verse 39, part 1).

• Belly and Thighs of Brass: Greek Empire under Alexander, defeating the Medo-Persians (verse 39, part 2).

• Legs of Iron: Roman Empire (verse 40).

• Feet of Iron and Clay: British Empire, emerging from Roman roots, mixed with "clay" representing the Hebrew/Israelite people (verses 41-43).

• The Stone: The Kingdom of God, led by the Lord Jesus Christ, smashing the image and filling the earth (verses 44-45).

This sequence fits within six "days" (thousands of years) of human turmoil, leading to the seventh-day Sabbath of God's peaceful kingdom. Biblical patterns like the numbers 7 (perfection), 3, 10, and 12 reinforce this duality—balancing perfection and imperfection in history and prophecy.

Linking the British Empire with Hebrew/Israelites may surprise some, but it's crucial: Their intertwined history has shaped world events.

The Sabbath: A Key Sign of Identity

Identifying the Hebrew/Israelites today requires acknowledging the Sabbath—Saturday, not Sunday—as God's sign: Isaiah 58:13-14 

Isaiah 58:13-14.

• Verse 13: "IF THOU TURN AWAY THY FOOT FROM THE SABBATH, FROM DOING THY PLEASURE ON MY HOLY DAY; AND CALL THE SABBATH A DELIGHT, THE HOLY OF THE LORD, HONOURABLE; AND SHALT HONOUR HIM, NOT DOING THINE OWN WAYS, NOR FINDING THINE OWN PLEASURE, NOR SPEAKING THINE OWN WORDS."

• Verse 14: "THEN SHALT THOU DELIGHT THYSELF IN THE LORD; AND I WILL CAUSE THEE TO RIDE UPON THE HIGH PLACES OF THE EARTH, AND FEED THEE WITH THE HERITAGE OF JACOB THY FATHER; FOR THE MOUTH OF THE LORD HATH SPOKEN IT."

Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament Law, including the Sabbath, as Isaiah prophesied. We can't discard it for human traditions.

Pleading for Truth

Let's commit to seeking truth above all, even if it challenges cherished beliefs. I plead for God's cause over human vanities, vindicating His name. You may disagree now, influenced by church teachings, but hear the arguments fully.

From Isaiah 59:4 Isaiah 59:4: "NONE CALLETH FOR JUSTICE, NOR ANY PLEADETH FOR TRUTH; THEY TRUST IN VANITY, AND SPEAK LIES, THEY CONCEIVE MISCHIEF, AND BRING FORTH INIQUITY."

If truth is your goal, judge after reading. This supports the claim for the Hebrew/Israelite nation—my purpose on earth.

Building a Strong Foundation

Now, let's return to Daniel chapter 2 and build layer by layer. We'll trace fulfilled secular and spiritual history, watching the Israelite story emerge through to Daniel chapter 12.

Page1.

Chapter 2. 

Daniel Chapter 2, Verses 40, 41, 42, Verse 43 

The Ten Toes and Miry Clay.

"AND THE FOURTH KINGDOM SHALL BE STRONG AS IRON; FOR AS MUCH AS IRON BREAKETH IN PIECES AND SUBDUETH ALL THINGS; AND AS IRON THAT BREAKETH ALL THESE, SHALL IT BREAK IN PIECES AND BRUISE".

Unpacking Daniel's Prophecy:

Daniel's vision in Chapter 2 reveals a massive statue symbolising world empire, leading up to a dramatic end. We're focusing on verses 40–43, which describe the final stage: a kingdom of iron mixed with clay. This part often confuses readers, blending history and prophecy in complex ways. But don't worry—we'll break it down step by step, like piecing together a historical puzzle with spiritual insights. We'll skip the earlier empires (Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece) for now and zoom in on the "iron and clay" mix, which points to a single path where secular history fulfils biblical prophecy. These two "roads"—human events and God's plan—run side by side.

Think of it as a statue standing tall but wobbling on unstable feet. The prophecy isn't about random guesses from world events; it's a precise roadmap confirmed across the Bible. Later, we'll connect this to Daniel Chapter 7 for a bigger picture.

The Fourth Kingdom: Strong as Iron (Verse 40)

Daniel 2:40: "AND THE FOURTH KINGDOM SHALL BE STRONG AS IRON: FORASMUCH AS IRON BREAKETH IN PIECES AND SUBDUETH ALL THINGS: AND AS IRON THAT BREAKETH ALL THESE, SHALL IT BREAK IN PIECES AND BRUISE."

This fourth kingdom is Rome, whose iron-like strength crushed the lands of previous empires—Babylon, Assyria, Persia, and Greece. Rome didn't just conquer; it subdued nations for centuries, far longer than its predecessors. Its armies marched in, breaking civilisations and leaving lasting bruises. This "subduing" meant dominating peoples, making them submissive under Roman rule. History shows Rome's iron grip reshaped the world, fulfilling Daniel's words exactly.

The Divided Kingdom: Iron Mixed with Clay (Verse 41)

Daniel 2:41: "AND WHEREAS THOU SAWEST THE FEET AND TOES, PART OF POTTERS' CLAY, AND PART OF IRON, THE KINGDOM SHALL BE DIVIDED; BUT THERE SHALL BE IN IT OF THE STRENGTH OF THE IRON, FORASMUCH AS THOU SAWEST THE IRON MIXED WITH MIRY CLAY."

Here, the prophecy shifts to unfamiliar ground—the statue's feet and toes, a mix of iron and clay, creating an unstable base. Many Bible students recognise the two iron legs as Rome's split into Eastern (Byzantine, capital in Constantinople around 330 AD under Constantine) and Western empires. This division weakened Rome's core.

But verse 41 goes further: the kingdom divides not just into legs, but into feet and ten toes—new "kingdoms" in the Roman style, emerging after imperial Rome's decline. This fifth power doesn't conquer like the others; it grows out from the iron, blending dominant Roman elements with a mouldable "clay" people. It's a peculiar mixture at the end of the statue's timeline, symbolising instability.

Partly Strong, Partly Broken (Verse 42)

Daniel 2:42: "AND AS THE TOES OF THE FEET WERE PART OF IRON, AND PART OF CLAY, SO THE KINGDOM SHALL BE PARTLY STRONG, AND PARTLY BROKEN."

By this point, Rome's iron power has faded, split between West and East, making it vulnerable. History confirms: internal divisions led to Rome's fall, with invading tribes exploiting the weakness. Yet, out of this emerges "another kingdom"—a single entity, not scattered European nations as some suggest. Prophecy points to one kingdom: the Roman-influenced British Isles, evolving into the United Kingdom.

This "island kingdom" under Rome (from AD 43 to about AD 409) saw iron feet subdue Celtic tribes, bringing 400 years of influence. Romans introduced laws, architecture, roads, and baths—archaeology proves it. But it was "partly strong" due to resistant outlying Celts, and "partly broken" after Rome withdrew, as Angles, Saxons, and Norsemen invaded, nearly tearing it apart. Waves of Germanic tribes brought chaos, but Britain endured, building into a major empire. Even under Roman Church influence, rebellions simmered, testing its mix of strength and fragility.

God rules in human kingdoms, so this history isn't random—it's prophetic fulfilment.

The Ten Toes: Hidden in British History

The ten toes aren't ten European nations or a vague "multiplicity" as some churches claim. Those ideas grab at changing events (like the EU growing beyond ten members) without naming specifics or cross-checking prophecies. Instead, Daniel's pattern builds line upon line, precept upon precept, revealing an unalterable truth in history.

The ten toes symbolise the British Isles (or Greater Britain), divided into ten sections under Roman rule and beyond. Secular sources like Leonard Cottrell's The Great Invasion map Rome's conquest of Celtic Britain from AD 43, initially with 22 tribes (e.g., Dumnonii, Iceni, Brigantes). But Romans reorganised into ten iron-strong divisions: 1. Dumnonii, 2. Belgae, 3. Atrebates, 4. Cantii, 5. Trinovantes, 6. Iceni, 7. Coritani, 8. Brigantes, 9. Ordovices, 10. Silures.

Instability persisted under Saxon rule (backed by the Roman Church), retaining ten princedoms: 1. Sussex, 2. Wessex, 3. Kent, 4. Essex, 5. Northumbria, 6. Mercia, 7. Strathclyde, 8. Wales, 9. Anglia, 10. East Sussex.

Before the Danish invasion (835 AD), another reorganisation into ten: 1. East Anglia, 2. Mercia, 3. Northumbria, 4. Strathclyde, 5. North Welsh, 6. West Welsh, 7. Sussex, 8. Essex, 9. Wessex, 10. Kent.

With Norman William the Conqueror (1066 AD, backed by Rome), the clay moulds away from iron, linking to the "House of Israel" (ten lost tribes after Assyrian captivity). Ten princes trace Israelite lineages:

1. William of Normandy (1066, Reuben).

2. Henry II Plantagenet (1154, Simeon).

3. Henry IV Lancaster (1399, Zebulun).

4. Edward IV York (1461, Issachar).

5. Henry VII Tudor (1485, Dan).

6. James I Stuart (1603, Gad).

7. George I Hanover (1714–Victoria 1819, Asher).

8. Edward VII Saxony (1901, Naphtali).

9. George V Windsor (1910–Elizabeth II, Ephraim).

10. U.S. Presidents from George Washington (1732, Manasseh—Joseph's sons with Ephraim).

The two feet divide into the British Empire (rising 1749–63) and United States (1764–88), growing together.

Mingling But Not Cleaving (Verse 43)

Daniel 2:43: "AND WHEREAS THOU SAWEST IRON MIXED WITH MIRY CLAY, THEY SHALL MINGLE THEMSELVES WITH THE SEED OF MEN: BUT THEY SHALL NOT CLEAVE ONE TO ANOTHER, EVEN AS IRON IS NOT MIXED WITH CLAY."

Centuries condense here: Roman iron shifts from empire to Church, gripping Britain. The "miry clay"—Israel's seed—mingles genetically with "seed of men" (Gentiles without Israelite lineage, like the statue's nations). "Sons/daughters of men" inherit fleshly things, while Israel's promises (to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) fulfil spiritually.

Jesus as "Son of man" was flesh from Judah's line via Mary, redeeming Israel. Promises endure despite chaos—God kept them meticulously.

"Miry clay" isn't "baked or brittle" (a misleading note); it's wet, muddy soil, impossible to bond with hard iron. Israel mingles but doesn't fully cleave, staying separate spiritually for God's call in the last days.

Who is the Miry Clay? Biblical Proof

The miry clay is the "House of Israel" (ten tribes, led by Ephraim/Manasseh, lost after Assyria). Not the whole nation—distinguish from "House of Judah" (Judah, Benjamin, Levi).

Jeremiah 18:6: "O HOUSE OF ISRAEL, CANNOT I DO WITH YOU AS THIS POTTER? SAITH THE LORD. BEHOLD, AS THE CLAY IS IN THE POTTER'S HAND, SO ARE YE IN MINE HAND, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL."

God remakes marred clay (first vessel: ten tribes scattered; second: Judah warned before Babylon).

Isaiah 64:8: "BUT NOW, O LORD, THOU ART OUR FATHER; WE ARE THE CLAY, AND THOU OUR POTTER; AND WE ALL ARE THE WORK OF THY HAND."

Remnants of both houses (Zion/Israel, Jerusalem/Judah) plead as clay, moulded despite iniquity. Isaiah's chapters focus on their return.

The Bible prioritises Israel's history; other nations are secondary until Christ. Israel learns lessons among Gentiles, fulfilling dual roads.

From Roman times, miry clay (House of Israel) enters British Isles westward, pushed by history.

Insights from Hosea: Israel's Scattering and Gathering

Hosea's book paints the House of Israel's rise, fall, and punishments among Gentiles.

Hosea 4:6–7: Destruction from lacking knowledge; increased sin despite growth.

Hosea 8:11–14: Altars to sin; laws counted strange; empty sacrifices; forgotten Maker, building temples. Judah multiplies fortified cities—both face fire.

Hosea 7:13: Fled from God; redeemed but lied against Him.

Hosea 8:8–10: Swallowed among Gentiles; wanderers; gathered with sorrow for the King's burden.

Hosea 9:17: Cast away as wanderers.

Hosea 11:9–12: Not fully destroyed; tremble from West; Ephraim's lies vs. Judah's faithfulness.

Ephraim (British throne) defends a muddled faith, not Israelite truth. Judah clings to identity, awaiting Messiah.

Isaiah 11:13: Envy departs; no more vexing.

Isaiah 2:5–6: House of Jacob forsaken for eastern ways.

Isaiah 11:11–13: Second recovery from nations; ensign for assembly.

The Two Houses: Why They Matter Today

Israel splits into two: House of Israel (ten tribes, Gentile Christians, British/U.S. roots) vs. House of Judah (Jews). Not the same—House of Israel lost in Gentiles, not Jews. Their envy and vexing end in last days.

This clarifies Daniel's clay: moulded Israel mingling yet separate. To grasp full prophecy, understand these paths—undoing church falsehoods. Next, explore how two Israels persist today.

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Chapter 3. 

The Path of the Second Child: Insights from 

Ecclesiastes 4:15

In Ecclesiastes 4:15, we read: "I CONSIDERED ALL THE LIVING WHICH WALK UNDER THE SUN, WITH THE SECOND CHILD THAT SHALL STAND UP IN HIS STEAD." At first glance, this verse might seem simple or even minor. Yet, it unlocks a profound pathway to understanding God's wisdom in the Bible. It highlights a recurring theme: the "second child" or alternative choice, which often represents God's dual purposes woven through Scripture. This pattern isn't obvious—it's cleverly hidden by God to encourage us to dig deeper and seek truth with effort.

Think of it like a treasure hunt in the Bible. The "first" often ties to earthly birthrights and possessions, while the "second" links to spiritual blessings and God's chosen path. We'll explore this step by step, starting from the dawn of humanity and tracing it through key figures and prophecies. By breaking it down with clear examples, we'll see how history and prophecy intertwine, revealing God's orderly plan without losing any of the original depth.

The Dual Purposes Begin in Genesis

Right at the start of human history, in Genesis 2:8-9, God introduces duality with two trees in the Garden of Eden:

1. The Tree of Life.

2. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

Interestingly, the second tree was chosen first by Adam and Eve, setting a pattern.

• Adam: The first human, representing the birthright of the flesh, dominion over earth, and the original "Son of God."

• Eve: Formed second during Adam's deep sleep, symbolising the spiritual lineage that brings forth Sons of God and sons of men.

This duality continues with their children:

• Cain: Firstborn son of men, inheriting earthly birthright.

• Abel: Second son, blessed with heavenly favour (though killed by Cain, leading to Seth taking his place as the effective "second child").

From Seth, lineages split: "birthright sons" for earthly possessions and "blessing sons" chosen by God. Cain's line remained purely sons of men.

The Sons of God and Daughters of Men

The often-misunderstood passage in Genesis 6:1-4 clarifies this further:

• Verse 1: "AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN MEN BEGAN TO MULTIPLY ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH, AND DAUGHTERS WERE BORN UNTO THEM."

• Verse 2: "THAT THE SONS OF GOD SAW THE DAUGHTERS OF MEN THAT THEY WERE FAIR; AND THEY TOOK THEM WIVES OF ALL WHICH THEY CHOSE."

• Verse 3: "AND THE LORD SAID, MY SPIRIT SHALL NOT ALWAYS STRIVE WITH MAN, FOR THAT HE ALSO IS FLESH; YET HIS DAYS SHALL BE AN HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS."

• Verse 4: "THERE WERE GIANTS IN THE EARTH IN THOSE DAYS; AND ALSO AFTER THAT, WHEN THE SONS OF GOD CAME IN UNTO THE DAUGHTERS OF MEN, AND THEY BARE CHILDREN TO THEM, THE SAME BECAME MIGHTY MEN WHICH WERE OF OLD, MEN OF RENOWN."

These "Sons of God" aren't angels, as some think, but descendants from Seth's blessed "second" lineage. The "daughters of men" come from Cain's line or Seth's birthright progeny. Their unions produced mighty figures, but led to corruption, ending the first (antediluvian) civilisation by flood.

Restarting After the Flood: Noah and His Sons

God began anew with a "second man," Noah, from Seth's "Sons of God" line—he "walked with God."

• Noah's sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth (the eldest, inheriting vast possessions per Genesis 9:27).

• Shem: Second son, receiving God's blessings .

• Ham: Youngest, cursed to servitude .

Through Shem came Terah, father of Abraham.

Abraham's Family and the Second Call

Abraham (Abram) had brothers Haran and Nahor. The Bible doesn't specify birth order directly , but clues suggest Abraham was likely the second son:

• Terah had sons after age 70; Abraham left Haran at 75, after Terah's death at 205 .

• Haran died young; Terah mourned and left Ur .

• Nahor settled in Haran, possibly inheriting birthright possessions.

God called Abraham twice to leave earthly ties : "NOW THE LORD HAD SAID UNTO ABRAM, GET THEE OUT OF THY COUNTRY, AND FROM THY KINDRED, AND FROM THY FATHER'S HOUSE, UNTO A LAND THAT I WILL SHEW THEE."

Without children, Abraham's steward Eliezer would inherit . But as father of nations, including Israel, Abraham's role emphasises God's choice over human birthright.

Abraham's sons:

• Ishmael: Firstborn, blessed but passed over .

• Isaac: Second son, receiving both birthright and blessing to form Israel.

From Isaac to Jacob: Dividing the Sons

• Esau: Firstborn of the flesh.

• Jacob: Second, who supplanted Esau's birthright and received the blessing .

Jacob had two wives:

• Leah (first, of the flesh): Children Reuben (birthright), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dinah.

• Rachel (second, of love and blessing): Children Joseph, Benjamin.

• Handmaids: Zilpah (Gad, Asher); Bilhah (Dan, Naphtali) .

Jacob represents flesh (birthright), while his new name Israel signifies spirit (blessing) . From Israel come a nation (Hebrews/Israelites of two houses) and a company of nations with kings.

Rachel adopted Dan as her first .

Reuben lost birthright , passed not to Simeon but to Joseph, the second son of the second wife. This positioned Joseph to head the House of Israel and nurture the future remnant Zion.

Leah and Rachel's lines formed two kingdoms: House of Judah (Leah's Judah) and House of Israel (Rachel's Joseph).

With Joseph's "death" assumed, Judah stepped up temporarily .

Joseph's sons:

• Manasseh: First.

• Ephraim: Second, given predominance .

These blessings endure into the last days beyond 2000 AD . Ephraim and Manasseh must be redeemed from nations.

Leaders and Deliverers: Moses to Joshua

• Aaron: First son, birthright .

• Moses: Second, God's blessed deliverer from Egypt.

• Joshua (Ephraimite): Second leader after Moses (Levite), ordained successor .

Moses (House of Jacob/Levi) and Joshua (House of Israel/Ephraim) represent priests and witnesses. In the last days, Ephraim's descendants remain distinct within Israel.

 The Recurring Duality in Scripture

This pattern repeats for clarity:

• Two houses: Judah and Israel .

• Two kingdoms: Judah and Israel.

• Two holy cities .

• Two remnants: Zion and Jerusalem .

• Human duality: Body (flesh) and spirit (soul) .

• Two deaths: Body (through Adam, 1 Corinthians 15:22) and spirit .

• Two resurrections: To judgement and to life .

• Jesus' two comings: In flesh .

• Earth's two destructions: By water (Noah, Genesis 6:17-18) and fire .

• Two Sons of God: Adam (flesh) and Jesus (spirit, 1 Corinthians 15:45-47).

• Two daughters: Eve (flesh, Genesis 2:23) and Mary (spirit-led, Luke 1:41-56).

• Two commandment tables: First destroyed, second presented .

• Two sons set apart: Joseph in Egypt .

• Two deliverers: Moses (fleshly Israel from Egypt, Exodus 3:10-12) and Jesus (spiritual Israel from nations, Hosea 8:13, Hosea 9:3, Zechariah 10:6-12).

• Two witnesses at Jesus' birth: Simeon (Judah) and Anna (Israel, Luke 2:21-38).

• Two at transfiguration: Moses (flesh) and Elijah (spirit, Matthew 17:1-4; Deuteronomy 34:1-8; 2 Kings 2:1-13).

• Two olive trees .

• Two covenants .

• Two baptisms: Water (flesh) and fire (spirit, Matthew 3:11; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 3:21).

• Two bands from Jacob .

• Two nations .

• Two ways of captivity .

Birthright vs. Blessing: Core Meanings

• Birthright: For the firstborn, granting seniority, estate, and position.

• Blessing: For the second, bringing prosperity, consecration to God, and separation—often with adoration and mercy.

Esau despised his birthright, seeking it too late with tears . These paths are sworn to endure forever.

The Second Division of Israel's Land in Ezekiel

Ezekiel 40-48 details a future "second" land division, emphasising God's order .

Tribal portions in order :

1. Dan: First of Rachel/Israel, judge with House of Israel.

2. Asher: Germanic Hanover, Joseph's bloodline.

3. Naphtali: Germanic Saxony, Joseph's bloodline.

4. Manasseh: United States, Anglo-Saxon Joseph's bloodline.

5. Ephraim: Germanic (Stuart) Windsor, Joseph's bloodline.

6. Reuben: Jacob's natural firstborn.

7. Judah: Leader of House of Judah; David's line (seventh son of Jesse, 1 Chronicles 2:13-15; 1 Samuel 16:10-11).

8. Levi: Priesthood with Zadok's sons.

9. Benjamin: Protected with Judah.

10. Simeon: Plantagenet, no special role.

11. Issachar: York, as above.

12. Zebulun: Lancaster, as above.

13. Gad: Stuart, as above.

(These lineages connect to the "10 horns" discussed elsewhere.)

The Gates of the City: Patterns of Importance

Gates reflect tribal roles :

• North: Reuben (with Ephraim-led Israel), Judah (House of Judah head), Levi (priesthood with Judah).

• East (most important, glory enters Ezekiel 43:1-2): Joseph (earned obedience; sons get two portions Ezekiel 47:13), Benjamin (brother), Dan (adopted).

• South: Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun (one each, lesser from House of Israel).

• West: Gad, Asher, Naphtali (one each, assimilated Joseph's Germanic stock per Genesis 48:6).

Joseph's prominence ensures his birthright and blessing lead into the last days.

Wrapping Up: Purpose Beyond Chaos

These "second" threads show we're not adrift in randomness. We have origins, purpose, and hope under God's sovereign order. Far from confusion, everything aligns decently.

Footnote on Ancient Customs

Ancient scholars note that in Sumerian times (Abraham's Ur origins), gods favoured the second child, influencing human laws. Hebrew patriarchs followed: Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau. Marrying half-sisters (like Abraham-Sarah, Genesis 20:12) ensured "pure seed" heirs per Samaria documents, securing the second child's legal status among siblings. I apologise for lacking the book's title – my untidy notes have misplaced it!

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Chapter 4. 

Path of the Kinsman

Let us explore the profound teachings in Romans Chapter 9: verses 2–33, where the Apostle Paul reveals deep truths about God's chosen people and the role of the Kinsman Redeemer. This path unveils a divine family bond, woven through history, promises, and redemption.

In verse 3, Paul expresses his heartfelt anguish: "FOR I COULD WISH THAT MYSELF WERE ACCURSED FROM CHRIST FOR MY BRETHREN, MY KINSMEN ACCORDING TO THE FLESH." Here, Paul yearns to sacrifice himself for his fellow Israelites, highlighting the strong ties of blood and heritage.

Verse 4 identifies these kinsmen: "WHO ARE ISRAELITES; TO WHOM PERTAINETH THE ADOPTION, AND THE GLORY, AND THE COVENANTS, AND THE GIVING OF THE LAW, AND THE SERVICE OF GOD, AND THE PROMISES." These Israelites hold special privileges—chosen by God for adoption, honoured with fame, bound by sacred contracts of union, guided by divine laws, entrusted with duties to serve Him, and assured of promises declared in the Old Testament between God and His people.

Verse 5 continues: "WHOSE ARE THE FATHERS, AND OF WHOM AS CONCERNING THE FLESH CHRIST CAME, WHO IS OVER ALL, GOD BLESSED FOR EVER. AMEN." The patriarchs belong to this family line from verse 3, and it is through this fleshly kinship that Christ came to redeem His kinsmen. He stands as the greatest son of Israel, eternally blessed by God, affirming that all these elements endure forever with Jesus.

Yet, verse 6 reassures: "NOT AS THOUGH THE WORD OF GOD HATH TAKEN NONE EFFECT. FOR THEY ARE NOT ALL ISRAEL, WHICH ARE OF ISRAEL." God's promises and covenants, though long unfulfilled over many paths and years, remain potent. The two houses of Israel are scattered among all nations today, but not all will heed the call—only those Israelites who sense a duty to seek God and their kinsmen.

Verse 7 echoes this: "NEITHER, BECAUSE THEY ARE THE SEED OF ABRAHAM, ARE THEY ALL CHILDREN: BUT, IN ISAAC SHALL THY SEED BE CALLED." Mere descent from Abraham, whose Hebrew seed spreads through many nations, does not guarantee inclusion. The called kinsmen follow a distinct path of understanding—the blessing of the "second child" and sons of God. Isaac fathered the Israelite nation, which has been sifted through history, yielding two holy remnants at the end of time. These remnants, from many nations, embody the true Israelites who fulfil the law, promises, covenants, service, and God's approval as outlined in verse 4. Remember, Abraham also had seed through Keturah.

Verse 8 clarifies: "THAT IS, THEY WHICH ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE FLESH, THESE ARE NOT THE CHILDREN OF GOD: BUT THE CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE ARE COUNTED FOR THE SEED." Children from Abraham's bloodline via Hagar and Keturah in various nations are not automatically God's children. Instead, the promised seed—Israelites from verse 4—live under strict divine supervision, fulfilling multiple paths. They are not in turmoil, unlike many church congregations that mistakenly claim to be this "called seed" under promise. God alone enacts the Law of Promise; humans cannot identify it fully, though some of Isaac's seed resides within them. As verse 11 reveals, this chosen seed will stand because God ordains it.

Verse 9 affirms: "For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son." This recalls the Old Testament declaration where the Lord, appearing as angels to Abraham (Genesis 18), promised Sarah a child.

Verse 10 adds: "And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac." This preserves the special lineage of the kinsman's seed.

Verse 11 explains: "FOR THE CHILDREN BEING NOT YET BORN, NEITHER HAVING DONE ANY GOOD OR EVIL, THAT THE PURPOSE OF GOD ACCORDING TO ELECTION MIGHT STAND, NOT OF WORKS, BUT OF HIM THAT CALLETH." These unborn children—from Jacob/Israel's line extending to the holy seed in modern times—have no deeds yet. God's grand design, set from the beginning, elects predestined children with power to stand upright and be recognised. It relies not on their actions or efforts but on God's call—a divine summons to fulfil His vision for the earth. Paul himself, once wilful, was transformed by predestination for greater purposes.

Verse 12 states: "IT WAS SAID UNTO HER, THE ELDER SHALL SERVE THE YOUNGER." To Rebecca, this foretells the predestined "second choice" of sons and daughters through the Israelite nation.

Verse 13 declares: "AS IT IS WRITTEN, JACOB HAVE I LOVED, BUT ESAU HAVE I HATED." This unalterable law, fulfilled over millennia, favours Jacob (father of the special Israelites) over Esau (father of the Edomites, rejected for his carnal wilfulness).

The remainder of Romans Chapter 9 elaborates on these chosen children and why they hold such privilege. Paul assures us God is not unrighteous but merciful and compassionate, proving His vitality and the endurance of His promises and covenants. Despite our Israelite flaws and self-will, some siblings will fulfil all prophecy!

No one with limited understanding can question God: "Why hast thou treated us unevenly?" We Israelites are clay in the Potter's hands—and that suffices!

These later verses profoundly guide us through scriptural paths, emphasising we must be "kinsmen under the law," whether in Jewish or Gentile forms of Israel. They will be explored in another chapter.

For now, let us continue along the path of the "Kinsman." This trail mirrors the "second child" and "birthright" lineages, adding another piece to the Israelite puzzle. It chains the family tree across generations, insisting we must be relatives under the Law to be redeemed, aligning with the Redeemer's purpose— the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Kinsman law originates in Leviticus 25:47–55. Verse 48: "AFTER THAT HE IS SOLD HE MAY BE REDEEMED AGAIN; ONE OF HIS BRETHREN MAY REDEEM HIM."  

Verse 49: "EITHER HIS UNCLE, OR HIS UNCLE'S SON, MAY REDEEM HIM, OR ANY THAT IS NIGH OF KIN UNTO HIM OF HIS FAMILY MAY REDEEM HIM; OR IF HE BE ABLE, HE MAY REDEEM HIMSELF."

At first glance, this redemption law—like many Old Testament statutes—seems outdated for modern life, tempting us to favour only New Testament teachings. But nay! To grasp truthful roots amid chaos, we cannot sever the Old from the New; the old forms the foundation for the New's house.

Many churches dub themselves "spiritual Israel," overlooking the factual, fleshly Israel with its tailored promises, covenants, and laws. If a church claims to be spiritual Israel or God's holy chosen seed, it must trace a family tree back to first principles and God's laws. Otherwise, those biblical laws become manipulable for personal gain, rendering God's words worthless.

Believing in God and Christ means accepting Jesus came to fulfil those laws . These Gentile Israelites learn of God through faith, via Greek, Roman, or British lineages.

True, strangers join these Israelite Gentiles, their price paid by Christ's blood. But they are not direct "kin folk." The redemption price for Israel's kin was set in the Old and executed fully in the New, enduring to time's end!

A dictionary defines "kinsman" and "kinswoman" as family members of the same race and bloodline, across generations.

A "redeemer" repurchases or recovers family members by payment, freeing them from bondage. Thus, if Jesus is the Redeemer, whom did He buy back among the Gentiles? Where is His bloodline family? Though of Israel and Judah (called Jews), this line mingles with others, as does all Israel's. So, where are His kin?

The Bible states Jesus fulfilled the law to the last jot and tittle.

God's family "surname" is Israel.

Churches often misconstrue the Redeemer's role with Israel. They teach mere acceptance of Jesus, christening or baptism saves us, allowing usurpation of Israel's promises. They discard the Old Testament, its people, laws, and covenants as "too hard," indulging in man-made rituals, soft words, and self-righteousness, assuming direct heavenward passage!

Hear this, professed Christians: To inherit Old Testament promises, endure years of striving—from worldly basics through trials to God's ways. Learn we are Abraham's heirs under those laws! Paul explains in Galatians Chapter 4.

Verse 4: "BUT WHEN THE FULNESS OF THE TIME WAS COME, GOD SENT FORTH HIS SON, MADE OF A WOMAN, MADE UNDER THE LAW."

A fixed era brought God's Son via the Holy Spirit upon Mary—of the "second choice" lineage yielding sons of God—under Old Testament authority.

Verse 5: "TO REDEEM THEM THAT WERE UNDER THE LAW, THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION OF SONS." He paid for kinsmen in worldly bondage—Old Testament Israelites under laws, promises, covenants—granting adoption: Chosen before the world's foundation to be holy, blameless in love; predestined to adoption by Jesus per God's will.

Verse 6: "AND BECAUSE YE ARE SONS, GOD HATH SENT FORTH THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON INTO YOUR HEARTS, CRYING, ABBA, FATHER."

Though Paul, a Benjamite Jew, wrote to "we Israelites and kinsmen"—mostly in Gentile Christianity through history.

Ponder Galatians 4:21: "TELL ME, YE THAT DESIRE TO BE UNDER THE LAW, DO YE NOT HEAR THE LAW?"

All Israel's dead and living must be redeemed, names remembered, as in Ruth 4:7–10.

The Worldwide Church of God, under Herbert Armstrong, taught humanity was destined for God's family from Adam and Eve—but fleshly weakness derailed it!

The kinsman path is vital for prophecy fulfilment and identifying God's people. It underscores Joseph's role for Israel's children. The lament for Joseph must be acknowledged, as in Amos 6:1–7. Israel's house trusted Samaria's kingdom and city; Zion's holy seed named "Chief of the Nations." They enjoy ease—freedom from toil, pain, anxiety—crediting their labours, pursuing vanities without thanking God. In richness, apathy, wealth-chasing, luxury sans God, they weakly combat evil, lulled by music, pampered with food, drink, perfumes. This ancient portrait fits modern Western nations of Israel!

Israel in Gentiles seldom recalls Joseph, afflicted in Egypt, separated for their sake. He suffered for and because of kinsmen. His standing—holding birthright and blessings—secured Israel's freedoms. He stands with Jesus: "That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph."

Amos wrote circa 776–763 BC, during Northern Israel's peak power; it fell to Assyria within 50 years. That judgement warns modern Israel—both houses. Time ticks toward destruction!

To grasp fully, return to first principles: Why Jesus' redemption price was 30 silver pieces.

Leviticus 27:2–5 values a man aged 20–60 at 50 sanctuary shekels—not common currency, proving worth before God.

In the New Testament, Judas received 30 pieces from priests.

This violated God's laws for Israel, breaking the Judah-Israel brotherhood bond. The Messiah was severed from Judah's Jews, turning to Gentile Israel.

Zechariah's two staves—"Beauty" (Israel) and "Bands" (Judah)—faced slaughter by three shepherds: Persia, Greece, Rome. Written amid Babylon's remnant return.

The staves broke due to Ephraim/Israel's and Judah's sins. Jesus offered renewal, but Judah's priesthood failed, ignoring redemption laws, selling Him for 30 pieces. Brotherhood severed, forging secular and spiritual gulfs!

Yet God redeemed these kinsmen; Joseph aided salvation.

In Genesis 37:2,28, 17-year-old Joseph sold for 20 pieces to Ishmaelites. Pre-Levitical laws, but noted by God. His age group valued at 20 shekels, sold as slave amid jealousy.

Joseph, Israel's prince, beloved, predestined, redeemed Israel from famine, fostering growth in Egypt under his protection!

Jesus and Joseph, under singular vow, together paid the 50 sanctuary shekels, freeing from slavery.

Jacob's dying vow for Joseph endures: Joseph as fruitful bough, grieved by archers, strengthened by Jacob's Mighty God—the shepherd, stone of Israel. Blessings from heaven, deep, breasts, womb prevail beyond progenitors, crowning Joseph, separate from brethren.

Note verse 24: Joseph stands with Israel's stone—Jesus. These arms saved Israel.

Verse 1: "HEARKEN TO ME, YE THAT FOLLOW AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS, YE THAT SEEK THE LORD: LOOK UNTO THE ROCK WHENCE YE ARE HEWN, AND TO THE HOLE OF THE PIT WHENCE YE ARE DIGGED." (Rock: Jesus; Pit: Joseph)

Verse 2: "LOOK UNTO ABRAHAM YOUR FATHER, AND UNTO SARAH THAT BARE YOU: FOR I CALLED HIM ALONE, AND BLESSED HIM, AND INCREASED HIM." 

Verse 3: "FOR THE LORD SHALL COMFORT ZION: HE WILL COMFORT ALL HER WASTE PLACES; AND HE WILL MAKE HER WILDERNESS LIKE EDEN, AND HER DESERT LIKE THE GARDEN OF THE LORD; JOY AND GLADNESS SHALL BE FOUND THEREIN, THANKSGIVING, AND THE VOICE OF MELODY."

Verse 4: "HEARKEN UNTO ME, MY PEOPLE; AND GIVE EAR UNTO ME, O MY NATION: FOR A LAW SHALL PROCEED FROM ME, AND I WILL MAKE MY JUDGEMENT TO REST FOR A LIGHT OF THE PEOPLE." 

Verse 5: "MY RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NEAR; MY SALVATION IS GONE FORTH, AND MINE ARMS SHALL JUDGE THE PEOPLE; THE ISLES SHALL WAIT UPON ME, AND ON MINE ARM SHALL THEY TRUST." (Arms: Joseph’s OT promises, Jesus’ NT; Isles: British, gathering 10 tribes, trusting Jesus as Christian nation.) Rock Jesus and pit Joseph saved Israel anciently and modernly. 

Now, Israel must understand, rally to truth, find Zion and Jerusalem! Awake, Zion; don beautiful garments as factual Israelites; meet lost kinsmen; stand counted! Mark 10:29–31 promises family rediscovery. Protect children, close ranks—emerge from religions as Israel, led by King Jesus!

Watchmen bring tidings, proving God lives!

Verse 1: "AWAKE, AWAKE; PUT ON THY STRENGTH, O ZION; PUT ON THY BEAUTIFUL GARMENTS, O JERUSALEM, THE HOLY CITY: FOR HENCEFORTH THERE SHALL NO MORE COME INTO THEE THE UNCIRCUMCISED AND THE UNCLEAN."

Verse 2: "SHAKE THYSELF FROM THE DUST; ARISE, AND SIT DOWN, O JERUSALEM: LOOSE THYSELF FROM THE BANDS OF THY NECK, O CAPTIVE DAUGHTER OF ZION."

Verse 3: "FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD, YE HAVE SOLD YOURSELVES FOR NOUGHT; AND YE SHALL BE REDEEMED WITHOUT MONEY."

Verse 4: "FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD, MY PEOPLE WENT DOWN AFORETIME INTO EGYPT TO SOJOURN THERE; AND THE ASSYRIAN OPPRESSED THEM WITHOUT CAUSE."

Verse 5: "NOW THEREFORE, WHAT HAVE I HERE, SAITH THE LORD, THAT MY PEOPLE IS TAKEN AWAY FOR NOUGHT? THEY THAT RULE OVER THEM MAKE THEM TO HOWL, SAITH THE LORD; AND MY NAME CONTINUALLY EVERY DAY IS BLASPHEMED."

Verse 6: "THEREFORE MY PEOPLE SHALL KNOW MY NAME: THEREFORE, THEY SHALL KNOW IN THAT DAY THAT I AM HE THAT DOTH SPEAK: BEHOLD, IT IS I."

Verse 7: "HOW BEAUTIFUL UPON THE MOUNTAINS ARE THE FEET OF HIM THAT BRINGETH GOOD TIDINGS, THAT PUBLISHETH PEACE; THAT BRINGETH GOOD TIDINGS OF GOOD, THAT PUBLISHETH SALVATION; THAT SAITH UNTO ZION, THY GOD REIGNETH!"

Verse 8: "THY WATCHMEN SHALL LIFT UP THE VOICE; WITH THE VOICE TOGETHER SHALL THEY SING: FOR THEY SHALL SEE EYE TO EYE, WHEN THE LORD SHALL BRING AGAIN ZION."

Verse 9: "BREAK FORTH INTO JOY, SING TOGETHER, YE WASTE PLACES OF JERUSALEM: FOR THE LORD HATH COMFORTED HIS PEOPLE, HE HATH REDEEMED JERUSALEM."

Verse 10: "THE LORD HATH MADE BARE HIS HOLY ARM IN THE EYES OF ALL THE NATIONS; AND ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH SHALL SEE THE SALVATION OF OUR GOD."

Verse 11: "DEPART YE, DEPART YE, GO YE OUT FROM THENCE, TOUCH NO UNCLEAN THING; GO YE OUT OF THE MIDST OF HER; BE YE CLEAN, THAT BEAR THE VESSELS OF THE LORD."

Verse 12: "FOR YE SHALL NOT GO OUT WITH HASTE, NOR GO BY FLIGHT: FOR THE LORD WILL GO BEFORE YOU; AND THE GOD OF ISRAEL WILL BE YOUR REREWARD."

Verse 13: "BEHOLD, MY SERVANT SHALL DEAL PRUDENTLY, HE SHALL BE EXALTED AND EXTOLLED, AND BE VERY HIGH."

Verse 14: "AS MANY WERE ASTONIED AT THEE; HIS VISAGE WAS SO MARRED MORE THAN ANY MAN, AND HIS FORM MORE THAN THE SONS OF MEN:"

Verse 15: "SO SHALL HE SPRINKLE MANY NATIONS; THE KINGS SHALL SHUT THEIR MOUTHS AT HIM: FOR THAT WHICH HAD NOT BEEN TOLD THEM SHALL THEY SEE; AND THAT WHICH THEY HAD NOT HEARD SHALL THEY CONSIDER." 

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Chapter 6: 

The Path of "Out of Egypt I Called My Son" 

Exploring Separation and Prophecy

This chapter dives into the profound prophecy from Hosea 11:1, linking it to themes of separation in the Bible. We'll trace how this verse connects to Jesus as the promised Messiah from Judah, and to the nation of Israel as God's chosen people. By breaking it down with clear headings and straightforward explanations, we'll make the intricate mix of history and prophecy easier to follow – without losing any of the original depth. Think of it as a journey through Scripture, where God's plan unfolds like a roadmap, testing and guiding His people away from worldly temptations towards a promised future.

The Core Prophecy: Hosea 11:1 Explained

Hosea 11:1 states: "WHEN ISRAEL WAS A CHILD, THEN I LOVED HIM, AND CALLED MY SON OUT OF EGYPT."

This verse isn't just poetry – it's a blueprint. It establishes Jesus' right to claim the title of Israel's Messiah, while also pointing to the entire nation of Israel (the 12 tribes) as God's "son." From the start, God separated Israel from other nations for a special purpose, one that invites deep reflection. It all begins with Abraham, whom God called out of his homeland in Chaldea to a strange new land. Like a trusting child holding a parent's hand, Abraham followed in faith. God promised him a "special seed" – the Hebrew/Israelite nation – that would grow into a great people and many nations.

This set Abraham and his descendants on a deliberate prophetic path, where only some would fully embody the call: "I called my son out of Egypt." God chose Egypt as a testing ground, full of worldly lures.

Egypt: A Temptress and Testing Ground

Ancient Egypt was a powerhouse – a magnet for its mysteries, luxuries, and grandeur. Its massive pyramids and temples awed the world, much like Greece or Rome later on. It was the "breadbasket" during famines, boasting kings seen as God-men, priests with supposed magical powers over life and death, and a society steeped in idolatry. To outsiders, it promised order and answers amid chaos.

But to God, Egypt represented humanity's drift from the true Creator. Its people chased self-indulgent lives, ignoring anything beyond their comforts. God used Egypt as a "school" for His chosen ones – a place of temptation to refine those racing towards a future destiny, fulfilling His plan from the beginning.

Isaiah 31:1-3 warns: "WOE TO THEM THAT GO DOWN TO EGYPT FOR HELP: AND STAY ON HORSES, AND TRUST IN CHARIOTS, BECAUSE THEY ARE MANY; AND IN HORSEMEN, BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY STRONG, BUT THEY LOOK NOT UNTO THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL, NEITHER SEEK THE LORD! YET HE ALSO IS WISE, AND WILL BRING EVIL, AND WILL NOT CALL BACK HIS WORDS: BUT WILL ARISE AGAINST THE HOUSE OF THE EVIL DOERS, AND AGAINST THE HELP OF THEM THAT WORK INIQUITY. NOW THE EGYPTIANS ARE MEN, AND NOT GOD; AND THEIR HORSES FLESH, AND NOT SPIRIT. WHEN THE LORD SHALL STRETCH OUT HIS HAND, BOTH HE THAT HELPETH SHALL FALL, AND HE THAT IS HOLPEN SHALL FALL DOWN, AND THEY ALL SHALL FAIL TOGETHER."

This highlights the danger: relying on human strength over God leads to downfall. Egypt symbolises that false security.

Biblical Figures on the "Out of Egypt" Path

Let's walk through key figures who lived out this prophecy, showing how God called His "son" (individuals or the nation) out of Egypt's grip. Each step builds the narrative, blending history with spiritual lessons.

• Abraham: He entered Egypt during a famine but left obediently after facing temptation.

• Isaac: God warned him not to go to Egypt, and he obeyed.

• Jacob (Israel): At 130, he went to Egypt to reunite with Joseph, living there 17 years. He blessed Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, adopting them as his own – crucial for the prophecy. His embalmed body was carried back to Canaan for burial at Machpelah, ensuring his spirit left Egypt. This fulfilled "I called my son Israel out of Egypt."

• Joseph: Sold into Egypt as a slave, he rose to prince. His bones were later carried out by the Israelites under Moses, as he belonged to a special lineage whose spirit couldn't remain in a foreign land .

• Ephraim and Manasseh: Born in Egypt to Joseph and an Egyptian priest's daughter, they had to leave for the Promised Land to inherit God's blessings as Israelite tribes.

• Moses: Born in Egypt, raised as a prince, God called him out to lead Israel to freedom.

• The Tribes of Israel: They lived in Egypt for about 430 years until God, through Moses, called them out to become His special people.

• Jesus: Fleeing Herod's massacre as a baby, He was taken to Egypt, then called back to Nazareth.

These stories show a pattern: Egypt tempts, shelters, and bonds, but God delivers His faithful into an unknown future, making them "strangers" in the world, always seeking God's promised land.

The Deeper Meaning: Strangers Seeking a New Kingdom

From Moses declaring Israel as God's "firstborn”.

Hosea warns of consequences for straying: The House of Israel (led by Ephraim) returned to "Egypt of the nations" through laziness, greed, and sin, becoming wanderers after Assyrian captivity.

Yet God remains unchanged. He heard ancient Israel's cries in Egypt and will do so again, making them dwell in temporary "tabernacles" as in old feasts.

Even Jerusalem is likened to spiritual "Egypt" where Jesus was crucified.

The Separated Lineage: A Special Path Within Israel

God separated Israel from other nations for a role .

This focuses on two heads:

1. Joseph's Line: For protection and blessings, active in the New Testament through Jesus .

2. Levi's Line: Priests in the Old Testament, with no material inheritance – God is theirs.

This pure lineage countered intermarriages, preserving promises.

The Cave of Machpelah: Burial and Significance

Genesis 23 tells of Abraham buying the cave at Machpelah near Hebron for Sarah's burial. Later, Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah were buried there.

Why? It ties to the paths. Ishmael, Abraham's son by an Egyptian, was buried elsewhere – not on the "out of Egypt" or separated path.

Rachel, Jacob's beloved, was buried near Bethlehem, separated in death.

Joseph, too, was separated – buried at Shechem, not Machpelah.

Connections to Jesus and the Final Separation

Bethlehem links Rachel (for the House of Israel) and David (for Judah) to Jesus.

John the Baptist called to "make straight" these paths, confirming Jesus as Messiah. Ultimately, Jesus will separate nations like sheep from goats, inviting the blessed to an eternal kingdom.

Recap: Israel's Role and Call to Separation

Israel was set apart from nations.

These paths may seem dense, but they're foundational – solid stones for truth. Without them, faith becomes just another story in a confusing world. They guide Israel out of the maze, ready to stand.

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Chapter 7: 

The 'Ten Toes of Iron and Clay' in Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

Nebuchadnezzar's dream in the Book of Daniel presents a giant statue symbolising world empire through history and prophecy. The feet and toes—made of iron mixed with clay—represent the final stages of human rule before God's eternal kingdom arrives. This section has puzzled many Bible students, but by breaking it down step by step, we can uncover its meaning. It points to events in our modern era, blending ancient prophecy with historical facts to reveal God's plan for His people.

We'll explore the key Bible verses, interpret the symbols, and connect them to real-world history. The goal is to make this complex narrative clearer and more relatable, showing how it ties into the "last days" and offers hope amid chaos.

Key Biblical Verses

The dream focuses on the statue's lower parts: iron legs, feet partly iron and partly clay, and ten toes. These verses from Daniel Chapter 2 and Daniel Chapter 7 describe the vision and its meaning. Daniel places this mystery in the "last days" of human rule, hidden until generations like ours in the 20th and 21st centuries could understand it. The purpose? To protect and guide God's "holy seed"—His faithful people—in a dangerous world.

From Daniel 2:33-45:

• Verse 33: "HIS LEGS OF IRON, HIS FEET PART OF IRON AND PART OF CLAY."

• Verse 34: "THOU SAWEST TILL THAT A STONE WAS CUT OUT WITHOUT HANDS, WHICH SMOTE THE IMAGE UPON HIS FEET THAT WERE OF IRON AND CLAY, AND BRAKE THEM TO PIECES."

• Verse 35: "THEN WAS THE IRON, THE CLAY, THE BRASS, THE SILVER, AND THE GOLD, BROKEN TO PIECES TOGETHER, AND BECAME LIKE THE CHAFF OF THE SUMMER THRESHINGFLOORS; AND THE WIND CARRIED THEM AWAY, THAT NO PLACE WAS FOUND FOR THEM: AND THE STONE THAT SMOTE THE IMAGE BECAME A GREAT MOUNTAIN, AND FILLED THE WHOLE EARTH."

• Verse 40: "AND THE FOURTH KINGDOM SHALL BE STRONG AS IRON: FORASMUCH AS IRON BREAKETH IN PIECES AND SUBDUETH ALL THINGS: AND AS IRON THAT BREAKETH ALL THESE, SHALL IT BREAK IN PIECES AND BRUISE."

• Verse 41: "AND WHEREAS THOU SAWEST THE FEET AND TOES, PART OF POTTERS' CLAY, AND PART OF IRON, THE KINGDOM SHALL BE DIVIDED; BUT THERE SHALL BE IN IT OF THE STRENGTH OF THE IRON, FORASMUCH AS THOU SAWEST THE IRON MIXED WITH MIRY CLAY."

• Verse 42: "AND AS THE TOES OF THE FEET WERE PART OF IRON, AND PART OF CLAY, SO THE KINGDOM SHALL BE PARTLY STRONG, AND PARTLY BROKEN."

• Verse 43: "AND WHEREAS THOU SAWEST IRON MIXED WITH MIRY CLAY, THEY SHALL MINGLE THEMSELVES WITH THE SEED OF MEN: BUT THEY SHALL NOT CLEAVE ONE TO ANOTHER, EVEN AS IRON IS NOT MIXED WITH CLAY."

• Verse 44: "AND IN THE DAYS OF THESE KINGS SHALL THE GOD OF HEAVEN SET UP A KINGDOM, WHICH SHALL NEVER BE DESTROYED: AND THE KINGDOM SHALL NOT BE LEFT TO OTHER PEOPLE, BUT IT SHALL BREAK IN PIECES AND CONSUME ALL THESE KINGDOMS, AND IT SHALL STAND FOR EVER."

From Daniel 7:7-8:

• Verse 7: "AFTER THIS I SAW IN THE NIGHT VISIONS, AND BEHOLD A FOURTH BEAST, DREADFUL AND TERRIBLE, AND STRONG EXCEEDINGLY; AND IT HAD GREAT IRON TEETH: IT DEVOURED AND BRAKE IN PIECES, AND STAMPED THE RESIDUE WITH THE FEET OF IT: AND IT WAS DIVERSE FROM ALL THE BEASTS THAT WERE BEFORE IT; AND IT HAD TEN HORNS."

• Verse 8: "I CONSIDERED THE HORNS, AND, BEHOLD, THERE CAME UP AMONG THEM ANOTHER LITTLE HORN, BEFORE WHOM THERE WERE THREE OF THE FIRST HORNS PLUCKED UP BY THE ROOTS: AND, BEHOLD, IN THIS HORN WERE EYES LIKE THE EYES OF MAN, AND A MOUTH SPEAKING GREAT THINGS."

These passages outline a divided kingdom—strong like iron but fragile like clay—that ends when a divine stone (God's kingdom) shatters it.

Interpreting the Symbols: Legs, Feet, and Toes

The statue's legs of iron represent the Roman Empire, divided into two parts: the Western Roman Empire (capital in Rome, fallen in 476 AD to invaders like Goths, Franks, and Vandals) and the Eastern Byzantine Empire (capital in Constantinople, rebuilt by Emperor Constantine around 328-330 AD, lasting until the 15th century).

This iron "flows" into the two feet, mixing with clay. The iron symbolises the enduring strength and brutality of Roman influence—conquering, bruising, and dominating nations. It brought "peace" through force, leaving long-lasting chaos, as seen when Rome withdrew from Britain after 400 years, opening the door to tribal wars.

The clay, however, represents something different: God's people, the "House of Israel" (distinct from the House of Judah, or Jews). Scriptures like Jeremiah 18:6-10 describe Israel as clay in God's hands, moulded through punishment and restoration among Gentile nations.

In Isaiah 64:8-10:

• Verse 8: "BUT NOW, O LORD, THOU ART OUR FATHER; WE ARE THE CLAY, AND THOU OUR POTTER; AND WE ALL ARE THE WORK OF THY HAND."

• Verse 9: "BE NOT WROTH VERY SORE, O LORD, NEITHER REMEMBER INIQUITY FOR EVER: BEHOLD, SEE, WE BESEECH THEE, WE ARE ALL THY PEOPLE."

• Verse 10: "THY HOLY CITIES ARE A WILDERNESS, ZION IS A WILDERNESS, JERUSALEM A DESOLATION."

These verses emphasise God's remoulding of Israel in a "wilderness"—identified as the British Isles . Here, the lost tribes of Israel gather, forming Christian communities away from Roman influence.

The ten toes (also ten horns in Daniel 7 and Revelation 17:12) symbolise ten kings or rulers. The kingdom is "divided"—partly strong (iron) and partly broken (clay)—mingling but not fully uniting, like iron and clay.

The Stone and God's Kingdom

The stone "cut out without hands" smashes the feet, destroying the entire statue and becoming a mountain filling the earth. This stone is Jesus Christ and His eternal kingdom .

This happens in the days of these divided kings, crashing into the feet because that's where Israel's "clay" resides—specifically in the two powers of Ephraim and Manasseh, who should welcome Christ's rule.

Historical Fulfilment: The Blessings of Jacob

Jacob's blessings in Genesis 48-49 and Moses' in Deuteronomy 33 are for the "last days" : "AND JACOB CALLED UNTO HIS SONS, AND SAID, GATHER YOURSELVES TOGETHER, THAT I MAY TELL YOU THAT WHICH SHALL BEFALL YOU IN THE LAST DAYS."

These weren't fulfilled in ancient Israel but in modern history. Ephraim's seed becomes a "multitude of nations," Manasseh a "great people" . The tribes migrate to the British Isles, merging into one kingdom that splits into two feet: the United Kingdom (Ephraim) and the United States (Manasseh).

The British Isles start divided under Roman iron, then absorb Israelite clay through invasions. Conflicts arise between Roman Church influence (iron fear) and independent Christian groups (clay faith), like Celtic Christians and Puritans, leading to division.

The two feet separate: Britain rises as an empire (1749-1763 AD), becoming a commonwealth of nations; America forms post-1764-1788 AD, growing into a superpower. Both outmatch previous empires, fulfilling Joseph's blessings.

Secular history aligns with God's plan, despite human interference. Ignoring this blend leads to misunderstanding prophecy.

The Ten Toes of Clay: Tribes and Historical Houses

The ten toes represent the ten tribes of Israel (excluding Levi and Benjamin with Judah, but including Ephraim and Manasseh as ruling powers). They enter Britain through royal houses, under Joseph's protection.

Tribe

Historical House

Key Figure/Origin

1. Reuben

Normandy

William of Normandy (1066), from France

2. Simeon

Plantagenet

Henry II of Anjou (1154), from France

3. Levi

Counted with House of Judah

(Not part of House of Israel)

4. Judah

Counted as son of Jacob

House of Judah (Not House of Israel, though of the nation)

5. Zebulun

Lancaster

Henry IV, House of England

6. Issachar

York

Edward IV, House of England

7. Dan

Tudor

Henry VII, House of Wales

8. Gad

Stuart

James I, House of Scotland

9. Asher

Hanover

George I-III to Victoria (father: 4th son of George III), from Germany

10. Naphtali

Saxony

Edward VII of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (through Albert and Victoria)

11. Joseph - Ephraim

Windsor

George V to Elizabeth II, etc.; United Kingdom

12. Joseph - Manasseh

United States of America

(2 feet of power, separated; Rise of USA 1764-88 AD)

13. Benjamin

Counted with House of Judah

(Not House of Israel)

Ephraim holds Joseph's "stick" for the throne; Manasseh becomes great, extending power overseas.

Divisions in British History: The Ten Kingdoms

Before the princes, Britain divides into ten kingdoms under Roman iron, then reshuffles through invasions, blending iron and clay.

Roman Kingdom (Iron, AD 43-401)

Divided into ten clay toes in the Britannic Isles:

1. Dumnonii

2. Belgae

3. Atrebates

4. Cantii

5. Trinovantes

6. Iceni

7. Coritani

8. Brigantes

9. Ordovices

10. Silures

Walls like Hadrian's and Antonine's marked northern boundaries against hostile tribes.

Saxon Kingdom (5th-6th Centuries)

Under Roman Papacy's iron, invaded by Jutes, Saxons, and Angles; divided into ten:

1. Sussex

2. Wessex

3. Kent

4. Essex

5. Northumbria

6. Mercia

7. Strathclyde

8. Wales

9. Anglia

10. East Sussex

Before Danish Invasion (815 AD)

Reshuffled into ten under Papal iron:

1. East Anglia

2. Mercia

3. Northumbria

4. Strathclyde

5. North Welsh

6. West Welsh

7. Sussex

8. Essex

9. Wessex

10. Kent

The Norman Invasion (1066) activates the clay princes, gradually breaking Rome's iron grip as history unfolds.

Conclusion: God's Plan in History and Prophecy

These two feet—Britain (Ephraim's multitude, once an empire of 47 dominions, 13 states, and 9 territories) and America (Manasseh's greatness, 50 states)—dominate world affairs, far beyond ancient empires. Yet, they mingle iron (worldly power) with clay (God's people) without fully uniting.

God's kingdom will soon intervene, fulfilling prophecy exactly as Jacob foretold. By aligning biblical and secular history, we see God's hand at work, offering truth and marvel in our "last days." This isn't coincidence—it's divine precision for those with eyes to see.

Page 7. 

Chapter 8: 

The History of Israel's Sons in the Last Days

This chapter explores a fascinating prophetic view from the Bible, drawing on Genesis chapters 48 and 49. It connects the ancient blessings given by Jacob (also called Israel) to his sons with events in history and the "last days" – a term often linked to end-times prophecy. We'll break it down step by step, making the complex ideas easier to follow while keeping the depth intact. Think of it as a bridge between ancient scripture and historical kingdoms, interpreted through a prophetic lens.

The core idea? Jacob's 12 sons represent tribes that, according to this view, have influenced world history, especially in Europe and beyond. This ties into the "ten toes" imagery from Daniel chapter 2, verses 41-43, symbolising a mix of strength and fragility (iron and clay) in a future kingdom. It also links to the "horns" in Revelation chapter 17. Additionally, Genesis 48 highlights how Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, get their own distinct lineages, like two separate "feet" in the prophetic statue.

We'll simplify the narrative by organising it into clear sections: the "ten toes of clay" (linked to the House of Israel), the "ten toes of iron" (Roman era), and early Saxon and pre-Danish kingdoms. This interpretation sees biblical tribes evolving into modern nations or royal lines, all under a protective umbrella.

The Ten Toes of Clay: The House of Israel in the Last Days

In prophecy, the "ten toes of clay" represent the scattered House of Israel (distinct from the House of Judah, often associated with the Jewish people). Here's how Jacob's sons are mapped to historical royal houses and nations, starting from key dates in British and European history. Note that Levi and Benjamin are grouped differently, and Joseph splits into two branches. All are seen as under "Joseph's protection" in this prophetic framework.

1. Reuben - Linked to France (William of Normandy, 1066 AD). Represents instability or lost primacy, as per Jacob's blessing: "Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel" .

2. Simeon - Tied to the Plantagenet line (Henry II of Anjou, 1154 AD). Known for scattering and division: "I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel" .

3. Levi - Counted with the House of Judah (Jewish line). Priestly tribe, without a separate land inheritance.

4. Judah - Core of the House of Judah (Jewish people). Symbol of royalty: "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah" .

5. Zebulun - Associated with the Lancaster house (Henry IV and successors). A haven for ships: "Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea" .

6. Issachar - Linked to the York house (Edward IV and line). A strong worker: "Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens" .

7. Dan - Connected to the Tudor dynasty (Henry VII and descendants). A judge and serpent: "Dan shall judge his people... Dan shall be a serpent by the way" .

8. Gad - Tied to the Stuart kings (James I onwards). Overcome but victorious: "Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last" .

9. Asher - Linked to the Hanoverians (George I to Victoria; note Victoria's father was the Duke of Kent, son of George III). Rich and royal: "Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties" .

10. Naphtali - Associated with the Saxony line (Edward VII; from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's Saxe-Coburg-Gotha house). Free and eloquent: "Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words" .

11. Joseph - Split into two:

    • Ephraim - The Windsor house (George V to Elizabeth II). Fruitful and blessed: "Joseph is a fruitful bough... whose branches run over the wall" . In Genesis 48:19, Ephraim becomes a "multitude of nations."

    • Manasseh - The United States of America. Also fruitful, but elder yet secondary: "He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he" .

12. Benjamin - Counted with Jacob (not Israel separately). Fierce: "Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf" .

This lineup paints a picture of biblical tribes influencing British monarchy and American history, all tied together in end-times prophecy.

The Ten Toes of Iron: The Roman Kingdom (AD 43-410)

Shifting to the "iron" side of the toes, this represents the strong Roman Empire's hold on Britain. The ten tribes or regions under Roman rule were defended by walls like Hadrian's and Antoninus, stretching across the Firth of Clyde and Firth of Forth. Here's the list:

1. Dumnonii

2. Belgae

3. Atrebates

4. Cantii

5. Trinovantes

6. Iceni

7. Coritani

8. Brigantes

9. Ordovices

10. Silures

These groups symbolise the iron strength of Rome, contrasting the clay's fragility in the prophetic statue.

The Ten Toes of the Saxon Kingdom

Before the Norman Conquest, the Saxon era had its own "ten toes" – kingdoms in early Britain:

1. Sussex

2. Wessex

3. Kent

4. Essex

5. Northumbria

6. Mercia

7. Strathclyde

8. Wales

9. Anglia

10. East Sussex

Before the Danish Invasion (815 AD): Another Set of Ten Toes

Just prior to the Danes' arrival, the landscape shifted slightly with these ten regions or kingdoms:

1. East Anglia

2. Mercia

3. Northumbria

4. Strathclyde

5. North Welsh

6. West Welsh

7. Sussex

8. Essex

9. Wessex

10. Kent

This chapter weaves history with prophecy, showing how ancient blessings might echo through time. It's a unique interpretation that invites reflection on how the past shapes the future – all rooted in scripture. For deeper dives, check the linked Bible passages!

Page 8.

Chapter 9. 

(1st Son) Reuben - William of Normandy - AD 1066 - France. 

"House of Normandy" (or Norsemen).

William of Normandy, first Prince of Israel (clay) to enter the British Isles, and inherit the throne of England, where the "House of Israel's" tribes were gathering.

Genesis 49, is a chapter dealing with these princes, and the people of each tribe of Israel. The "Chief" prince of each separate tribe fulfilling his own role in secular/biblical history and representing his own house, as blessed by Jacob their father of the flesh, and Israel their father of the spirit.

Both "paths" being fulfilled at the same time. Each tribe identifying himself "accurately" in secular history, in order to fulfil each word spoken by the "Mouth of God", through Jacob/Israel. So that "we" of the 20th century can look back down through the ages and identify ourselves within the lineages of that family tree. So as to turn the hearts of today's children to the fathers. (Malachi 4:6).

One has no need to go to great lengths with speculating upon migrations of peoples and races, to prove that the "House of Israel" or the 10 lost tribes are indeed within British stock! Which many biblical students perform.

Once upon a time one could say there were large populations of Israel in 10 different places on the globe, namely: England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, United States of America, Canada, South Africa, Rhodesia, Australia, and New Zealand. But now, like the sands of the sea, Israel is also scattered everywhere amongst nations, because the world has become a global village today.

These, people were all brought into one place to grow, that of the British Isles. They were nurtured in this tiny place from other lands, and they spilled over its shores and spread out across the world and became other nations, as prophecy depicts. (Genesis 22:17, Isaiah 10:22, Hosea 1:10).

It seems that even Jacob/Israel's children were "speckled" and "ring tailed", as were his sheep, which we read of in Genesis 30:30, 31:1-13.

Because of the "rods" of God, the sheep like his children, were born exclusively Jacob/Israel's sheep, "Identified", and marked in such a way that Jacob's "brand" was clearly visible. That "brand" is still upon his children today, and we read of it in Genesis 49. Deuteronomy 33. Daniel 11 etc; for those identification purposes!

Jacob began his "blessing" to his sons in Genesis 49 with the words.

Verse 1:-"AND JACOB CALLED UNTO HIS SONS, AND SAID "GATHER YOURSELVES TOGETHER", THAT I MAY TELL YOU THAT WHICH SHALL BEFALL YOU IN THE LAST DAYS".
And again the "second time" Jacob says in verse 2.
"GATHER YOURSELVES TOGETHER AND HEAR, YE SONS OF JACOB AND
HEARKEN UNTO ISRAEL YOUR FATHER".

So, twice Jacob said, "gather yourselves together", because Jacob was blessing 2 Bands of his children some sons of Jacob, and some sons of Israel, who were inheriting in 2 ways.

Eventually, this "gathering together" was to happen when each tribe found its "own way" into the "Isles." When the North, South and East winds were driving them onwards and Westward.

Then, each prince representing each tribal house went into the "Isles" in his "own way", setting himself up in the prescribed manner that is set in Genesis 49. Thus, adding his "birth" jewel to the crown of Israel.

Jacob's words of "gather yourselves together" at his death, were not words merely to ask his sons to gather around his death bed, but rather it was a "call" to them to hear and obey a command to "stay together;" Also in the last days of their history, so that they may be strong. (We will read later on in prophecy and history through Joseph's blessing, that each "stick", which represents the "memory" of the tribes, is in the strength of hands and arms of Joseph, as he feeds Israel, and their "gathering strength" -Or- to stand back to back for protection of all 14 tribes, - seen during 2 World Wars).

Jacob, from the beginning had divided the 2 houses of his children (2 bands) into 2 nations. "House of Judah" and "House of Israel", showing them in words and pattern how they would be known! One nation would inherit through Jacob and the Jew, (after the flesh) in the last days. Another nation would inherit through the spirit, (Jesus) and Israel in the last days.

Some biblical scholars in their writings note, that Genesis 49 is a prophetic blessing for the lives of the tribes of Israel, yet! Are unable to fathom "when" this occurred. They also note that running through these blessings is the "promise" of Jesus their Messiah, who was born roughly 2,000 years after Jacob died and spoke these words. By that time, during the Roman era, both houses of Israel were dispersed and scattered. None of the Genesis 49 notable prophecies happened to the "houses" of these tribes during those centuries that one can absolutely point to. Only the character of the princes remained set from their youth.

Jacob/Israel's sons lost hundreds of their years in Egypt, with no "blessings" of prophecy fulfilled. They lost years in idolatry and sin. They lost years of "separate" prophecy fulfilment when they were 2 kingdoms. They lost other years fighting each other in uneasy alliances, never gathering together as one.

Neither was Jacob's days counted as the "last days". Because Jacob said, after Jesus' death were the "last days". Further to this Genesis 49:10 verifies that statement when it says

"UNTO SHILOH (Messiah) SHALL THE GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE BE".

Which was part of Judah's blessing. Jacob/Israel said of Dan that He would "wait for salvation" (Jesus) Genesis 49:18. Jacob/Israel said to Joseph in Genesis 49:24. That the "SHEPHERD OF ISRAEL (Jesus) WOULD GATHER THE PEOPLE TO THE "STONE", (Jesus as Messiah king) who would come, and "is" seen, in Daniel's prophecy of Nebuchadnezzar's image.

If a "Blessing" is prophetic then it is a happening yet to come! All these prophetic words are out of a book called "Holy" that which is Holy is also truthful and accurate! So, it is a twofold thing, prophecies and vows (blessings) had to come to pass, and ably seen to be truthful! Translating correctly Genesis 49, one will see it is indeed truthful, trustworthy, and all those prophetic words "did" come to pass in history; If laymen and scholars say, "such and such a prophecy" is outdated and meaningless, then they cannot also say they are prophetic utterings. Neither can they say, British stock is "not" the "House of Israel" all because they are not aware, or in control of the full facts of the mysteries of the Bible.
When biblical scholars put Genesis 49 in their "right hand" and say it is accurate and prophetic, and put the genealogical table showing the descent of the British crown in their "left hand", then, they will have the full facts of the case before them, and they can "see" and "know" justice has been down to Jacob's prophetic words from that chapter.

The very "last days" of the princes of the clay, starting from 1066 AD ending approx. 2,000 AD -or- from the Norman conquest of the British Isles (Reuben) to the last House, that of Windsor (Ephraim) do indeed cover the last days.

The world is in its death throws, with the summer of empires past, its convulsions will spew out 10 tribes of Israel -identified- being born at once, (Isaiah 66:7-9) ready to fight with the Lord against the remaining nations who would oppose Him. Whose faces turn inward towards themselves, and not outward towards God, therefore they are anti-understanding.

Jacob asked his children in Genesis 49:2 to, "hearken unto Israel your father", and again he said in the same verse, "hear ye, sons of Jacob". Therefore that, two-fold recommendation is also towards us, who are the progeny of those sons. So, let's hear what the Scriptures "really" say, and not what we "think" they say. Or that which has been fashionable, to think for a long time held for us to hear. Listen hard to the words of Jacob/Israel, "your" father.

To be warned in knowledge and understanding is to be forearmed against your enemy, which is -disbelief.- Therefore, we will stand on the battle field in the "last days", United with loins girded against "that" enemy, to fight ignorance, superstition, myths, legends, ritual, dogma, idolatry, doubt, faithlessness, laziness, lethargy of all sorts, in one's comfortable little denominations.

Let us then begin with Reuben, he, who was William the Conqueror, the first son to begin the descent of the "clay of the toes" and the British crown, and, who fulfilled the "first blessing" given by Jacob so long ago.

Genesis Chapter 49:3.
"REUBEN THOU ART MY FIRST BORN, MY MIGHT AND THE BEGINNING OF MY STRENGTH, THE EXCELLENCY OF DIGNITY AND THE EXCELLENCY OF POWER":
Verse 4:- "UNSTABLE AS WATER, THOU SHALT NOT EXCEL; BECAUSE THOU WENTEST UP TO THEY FATHERS BED; THEN DEFILEST THOU IT, HE WENT UP TO MY COUCH".

Reuben was the "first-born" of Jacob and Leah, yet he was counted eventually under the "House of Israel" of the 10 tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

To Reuben, at his birth was given, -as was the custom of the first-born sons,- the "birthright" of inheritance his father's possessions. Both material and as head of that nation, therefore, was the chief son in all things, and the beginning of Jacob's strength. This inheriting for first-born sons was also a first principle of Norman law.

Reuben was called "my might", because, for the first time Jacob through siring a son was now a man, in the sight of all men. This son would carry his name, his blood, his superiority, and his possessions into another generation of men. Reuben however forged another meaning to Jacob's "might", because Reuben undermined Jacob's trust with shades of doubt to the word "might". Reuben, in the rest of his blessing is called "unstable" therefore endorses the doubt in the word "might", and Jacob. This uncertainty of Reuben's character was his downfall, and because of it he lost his "birthright" of that "excellency and power" of Jacob/Israel. The high-sounding words spoken by Jacob were cancelled, because Jacob's "dignity" lost face in the eyes of men. Therefore, a second choice had to be made, and he turned from the son of the flesh (Reuben) to a "second son" of the spirit, and that "power" of inheritance was given to Joseph. (1 Chronicles 5:1-2). The same thing happened in secular history to William the Conqueror from Normandy, he had many attributes spoken for Reuben yet lost his ruling "house" to Joseph's sons of the past, and of the future who were to become Germanic tribes of Anglo-Saxon. The Norman "House" was unstable and undecided between England and Normandy in France, consequently in that instability Normandy became England's servant one minute, and the reverse happened the next minute. Normandy pulled William to and fro in a tug-of- war between 2 ambitions.

The "beginning of strength" as spoken by Israel, is the quality of being strong, in force, vigour, toughness and durability. That "beginning of strength" William set in motion for the British crown and its future empire. These were also the attributes of force and fierce discipline shown in the British Isles through the Norman Conquest. History tells us that the Normans were turbulent, strong, fearless, disciplined, having inherited their drive and energy from their ancestors the Viking-Norsemen, of ancient times. Those roaming Norsemen had already entered the British Isles many times before William's conquering, but this time "he" was representing the "House of Israel's" first prince to fulfil his prophecy. So, the Normans were just another stream, of those fair skinned, people of Israel to arrive, but this time with an "identification" tag, of Jacob/Israel's sons.

The word "strength" that was attributed to Reuben was indeed the "key" word of the Norman Conquest of England. The year 1066 AD has been branded into the hearts and minds of a great majority of persons of British stock, never to be forgotten.

To us today, William was England's last conqueror. But to the peoples of that Norman era, they and their castles, struck terror into their hearts making them serve these Norman masters under a strong feudal system. When Jacob said of Reuben that he was the "beginning of his strength" that indeed was so for England's future way of life, of its government of kingship, of law and order, which was set by William. His "Doomsday Book" is an example of his clenched fist, the "power" of which held the reigns of England's purse of his "Excellency".

William/Reuben began the royal line of "excellency of dignity," and "excellency of power", towards the following thousand years of Britain/Israel's crown, which would see much of Israel's sons come forward in history, out of the nations, to fulfil their inheritance in their destiny as set down in words by the mouth of prophecy through Jacob/Israel.

The words in Genesis 49:3 of "excellency and dignity", are titles of "honour" applied to a person of high position. The word "dignity" is of calm self-possession, of nobility with rank and title. These words spoken of Reuben was because he was born "first" therefore, was of highest rank amongst his brothers. He was in other words the duke -or- prince of hereditary rank, and after his father's death would represent Israel in honour and title. This high position of nobility William, Duke of Normandy inherited from his own father, who was Duke Robert of Normandy, 4th descendant of Rollo a captain of the Norsemen who had invaded France. Rollo had been given the area known as Normandy in honour by King Henry of France (The word Duke comes from the Bible. Genesis 36:40, Joshua 13:21).

William had been born in the great castle of Falaise in 1027 AD to become the ruler of the great Norman nobles, though, William's mother was of a humble origin being a tanners daughter named Arlette, who gave birth to William out of wedlock. The very "hurt" of being called a bastard child, or a second-rate child, toughened and hardened William's heart and temper, never to be forgotten. (As later in history Elizabeth I was to experience a similar "hurt").

That same "hurt" of a type of second-rate person, causing jealousy, was felt by Leah and her son Reuben, (though he was not a bastard child). Reuben's birth was eventually to be conceived in deceit and secretiveness, and hatred. After Leah took the place of Rachel, -whom Jacob loved- in the marriage tent. That "second-rate hurt" remained with Leah and Reuben causing friction in the camp. (Genesis 30:14-16).

So, William's "hurt" stayed with him though he inherited the title of "excellency of dignity" from his father Duke Robert of Normandy, who died when he was but a small boy. William, called Bastard, needed his illegitimacy to give "fire" to his heart and ambitions, to overcome amongst tough rivalry.

William's nature and studies were to take him up into Israel's new land, of the British Isles, and the crown, which was to fulfil prophecy of that "excellency of power", to the full. The crown was bestowed on him, through reputation, through the code of honour, and through the so-called pledge of honour! (The story of that "pledge of honour" dealing with William, we will read of in Daniel 11:27. Later in this book which will tell us how God took a direct hand in Reuben/William's affairs, when "He" used the winds and sea to bring about Israel's first prince to ascend the throne of England. William received his crown under the banner of 2 lions, so, the eldest of Jacob's young lions took his place, in secular and biblical history. (Ezekiel 19).

During the time of the struggle between Harold the Saxon and William the Norman, mankind saw a spectacular sight of Haley's Comet showering its splendour across the skies, both Saxon and Norman saw it as an omen. Winston Churchill, in his Histories of the English-Speaking Peoples, put it this way;
"AT THIS VERY MOMENT THE "ALMIGHTY" REACHING DOWN FROM HIS HEAVENLY SPHERE MADE AN AMBIGUOUS GESTURE. THE TAILED COMET OR "HAIRY STAR" APPEARED AT THE TIME OF HAROLD'S CORONATION IS NOW IDENTIFIED BY ASTRONOMERS AS HALEY'S COMET. WHICH HAD PREVIOUSLY HERALDED THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD, AND IT IS EVIDENT THAT THIS EXAMPLE OF DIVINE ECONOMY IN THE MOVEMENTS FOR MUNDANE PURPOSES OF CELESTIAL BODIES, MIGHT HAVE BEEN TURNED BY DEFT INTERPRETATION TO HAROLD'S ADVANTAGE. BUT THE CONQUERORS HAVE TOLD THE TALE AND IN THEIR EYES THIS PORTENT CONVEYED TO MEN THE APPROACHING DOWNFALL OF A SACRILEGIOUS UPSTART".

Evidence of Haley's Comet is in thread on the Bayeux Tapestry sown it is said, by William's wife, for all to see. Would it be, I wonder, that Haley's Comet was indeed a "sign" from heaven, that it welcomed Jacob/Israel's first son as King for the "House of Israel" of the lineage of Reuben, in that haven of the "Isles." Into which his children were being driven over the centuries? What of our Lord's statement, which tells us there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars? (Luke 21:24-25).

Let us go back to Genesis 49:4: "UNSTABLE AS WATER THOU SHALT NOT EXCEL, BECAUSE THOU WENTEST UP TO THY FATHERS BED, THOU DEFILEST THOU IT, HE WENT UP TO MY COUCH".

Reuben's character of blowing hot or cold, which is part of an unstable personality, was seen when Joseph went out to find his brothers tending their sheep near Dothan, Shechem. In Genesis 37. We see Reuben plotting with his brothers to cause mischief, -whether for or against - Joseph, yet when he returned into the company of his brothers after being away for a short while, Reuben took fright, seeing the pit where Joseph was kept, empty. Thinking no doubt of his own skin first and foremost, knowing he had to face his father coupled with the fact Reuben as eldest son was responsible for his brothers actions; which we read of in the words, "whither, shall I go?" in Genesis 37:30.

Reuben helped to keep the web of deceit surrounding Joseph, when the garment dipped in animal blood was given to his father in pretence of Joseph's death. Reuben keeping quiet while watching his father's heart break for his beloved son, in that tissue of lies and jealousies. Because of Reuben's untrust/worthiness he did not excel in honour nor dignity entrusted to him.

So, it was with William of Normandy; Ah! one might say, when was William as Reuben? Because history portrays him as a strong man and seemed to excel in all his ways. If, however one should analyse what is written of Williams character and actions in some of the things he did. That even an "out of wedlock" seduction is a pointer to those words in Genesis 49:4. When "his father's bed was defiled". In Genesis, the expression used by Jacob/Israel upon Reuben was the defilement of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid, upon that bed. Later in Norman history we see the "excellency and dignity" of Duke Robert of Normandy, William's father, also going to a bed to defile a lowly maid of France. She brought forth William in "dishonour" not being married to Rollo. William, forever paying the price of that dishonour in his life. William's name Bastard, always denoting the sexual overtones of his beginning and of his house, and how "his father's bed was defiled".

In William's own life he had a wife and a number of children though his private life was very private.

William/Reuben of Normandy though of great stature in British history, who changed the face of that Island. Strides into the pages of history with a mixture of terror of the Viking-Norsemen, and a man with no other object in life but to have his own way, no matter what! He was a coarse and brutal man with enormous strength, his gigantic form embodied the spirit of the sea-wolves of the Vikings before him. A lonely man, whose childhood and the name Bastard forged his loneliness and his character into this pirate of a man. Yet! He accomplished great work in preparing the British Isles towards Empire and prophecy and was a chosen instrument of God for that work.

During William's reign in England, he dissolved the Earldoms, which before had enjoyed virtual independence. Which earlier history had shaped and reshaped into 10 kingdoms.

The Roman Papacy was greatly curtailed in their interference in English affairs. It is said that the Normans transformed England with great stone castles, -such as Windsor and the Tower of London,- and cathedrals, abbeys, and churches. They planted orchards, hedges, briar roses, and honeysuckle, turning a wilderness into a garden, completely altering the untidiness of the Anglo Saxons.

William brought into the "Isles" the Jew of the "House of Judah", who set about transforming that island with capitalism. Who came with the architects and workmen of Europe, which gradually built its civilisation.

William was a stern ruler and merciless with political opposition.

William spent a good deal of his time in Normandy and was unstable as to which throne lay his loyalties. He returned to Normandy in 1067 AD. leaving his half-brother Odo, and Williams Fitz Osbern as regents. Consequently, there were a series of rebellions by the barons which continued into 1072.
William's sons behaved very badly towards him and would not take the throne until later.

William left England for Normandy for the last time where he eventually died. The result of a fall from a horse at the siege of Mantes, and was alone in death, -apart from a few monks from an abbey,- He was also much alone at his coronation in England, with no great procession to mark his way.
During his reign in England William also overwhelmed the Welsh nation, and by his great strength subdued Scotland, and was prepared to conquer Ireland, though died before it was accomplished. To be the king of England, meant just that, and not the rest of the nations in the Isles combined. Though the feudal system was used by which each state ruled itself through a lord, there was no overall kingship over these states. Until William introduced a system of innovation of immense importance. The "Doomsday Book" came into being which took note of every fruit tree grown etc; He also had the "oath of Salisbury" which meant that feudal tenants owed direct loyalty to the King, and not just to their overlords. This made a far-reaching difference in the position of England than any other feudal part of Europe. The "united" England was now faced with a not so independent Wales and Scotland. The King demanded restraint from the other lords through honour and became God's representative also. The king's coronation took the form of both king and bishop, which before had been a separate communion given to another of a special caste, now it became one person.

William/Reuben's claim to "excellency and power", spoken by Israel, was not shared by any of Israel's sons within the British Isles at that time. His "excellency" of crowning at Westminster Abbey was spent almost alone, but for a few people who were "forced" to receive him, as history records. His "excellency of power" was taken from him when he died alone in Normandy, with no member of his family present; The few men that were left with his body stripped it and plundered his room where he lay. William had returned to France from whence he came, and the pleasures of the flesh, and unstable characters remained with the ancestors of that House of Reuben.

So, William the Conqueror being the "first" of the princes of the tribes of Israel (clay) to enter the scene of secular history, fulfilled 2 roles of history and biblical prophecy and the 10 toes of the House of Israel began to take shape and make sense of prophecy.

The "house" of Normandy did not "excel in dignity and power" in England. That "house" began with William the Conqueror, who had married Matilda of Flanders, and they had several children, with 2 sons inheriting the English throne.

William II or William Rufus was red haired and fierce. He was king from 1067 to 1100 AD and was feared much and hated much by all his subjects. He was shot with an arrow whilst hunting in the New Forest, some say by accident, some say by design. But all felt an enormous relief at his death, and like his father before him he died very much alone neither England nor his court mourned for him.
The Conquerors fourth son became King Henry I and was nicknamed "Beauclerc" -or- fine scholar. He married Matilda (or Maud as the English called her) she was a princess of Scotland, and of the old royal family of King Alfred and Edgar. (Who we will read of in Daniel 11:2-26).

Henry I, had an only son in wedlock who was drowned at 18 whilst crossing the English Channel. Henry I also defiled a bed because he had a bastard son called Robert of Gloucester; he however never had any strong claims to the throne.

Henry I reigned from 1100 -1135 AD who had craftily took the throne from his elder brother Robert therefore, part of his reign of "excellency and dignity" was constantly involved in conflict.

Henry married twice, and his reign was considered progressive, sometimes just, and sometimes a grasping ruler. So, he too blew hot and cold in nature.

The continuation of the Norman House gradually petered out. Henry's daughter Matilda was promised the throne, at her father's death, which she eventually fought for. Her position however was rather shaky because the Dukes of Normandy favoured heirs from father to son. So, the throne passed to Stephen 1135/1154 AD the last Norman King -who was the son of Adela, daughter of William the Conqueror.- He was leader of the barons, which was acceptable to the Norman mind. Stephen married Matilda of Boulogne (Flanders) and a descendant of Charlemagne the Great.

In this woman alone one can see links in the chain of all Europe being forged together, to bring about rightful heirs for those Israelite people in the British Isles.

Stephen's own surviving children in Blois, and Boulogne, France, were forever denied the crown of England. The Norman Reuben/William direct bloodline was played out, and this house "birthright" did not excel. So, it passed to the next prince of Israel's tribe "Simeon". Whose house was of Anjou (France) or Plantagenet.

Secular history sees "Anjou" as only a "partial" bloodline inheriting the crown of England. Biblical prophetic history shows us the Israelite bloodline in men and women, picking up the correct links of that chain in secular history. Princes are inheriting from brother to brother of Jacob/Israel's sons. Prophecy remains a factual biblical record for scholars to count the tribes and their separate inheritances. From Normandy to Windsor for those identification purposes in our 20th century. Which will match Jacob/Israel's blessing for them in Genesis 49.

So, the continual warfare and infighting goes on in the "House of Israel" from one generation to the next.

When one reads history and its continual turmoil and bloodletting, one can easily lose patience with the human race, and one feels it deserves all its misfortunes and miseries it has inflicted upon itself. Until one sees that there is a "purpose" underneath all these miseries, and one can say, "thank God for the hand of God", righting the wrongs of mankind. For "He" is bringing Israel's sons and daughters, to a better and fairer conclusion.

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Chapter 10: 

The Tribes of Simeon and Levi – 

United in Curse, Divided in Destiny 

This chapter explores the biblical blessings – or rather, curses – given to Jacob's sons Simeon and Levi. We'll break it down step by step, linking ancient prophecy from the Bible to real historical events. By simplifying the narrative, we'll see how these tribes' traits of anger and cruelty played out over centuries, one in British royalty and the other in Jewish priesthood. We'll keep the depth but make it easier to follow, with clear explanations and connections between history and scripture.

The Shared Blessing: A Curse of Anger and Division

Jacob's prophecies in Genesis weren't always glowing praises; for Simeon and Levi, they were a stern warning for the "last days." These two brothers, born to Leah, shared a single blessing because their fates were intertwined. Jacob pronounced it as one unit, highlighting their close bond and shared flaws.

Here's the key passage from the King James Version (KJV): Genesis 49:5-7 – "Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their self-will they digged down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel." 

Breaking It Down

• Brethren United in Cruelty: Simeon and Levi were full brothers, not just by blood but in mindset. Their "instruments of cruelty" refer to how they turned plans into brutal actions, often going too far.

• Jacob's Soul Rejects Their Secrets: Jacob (the fleshly man) knew their wickedness, but his spiritual side (called Israel) wanted no part in it. He feared their actions would tarnish the family's honour among other nations.

• The Curse of Division and Scattering: Because of their fierce anger, they'd be split apart – divided in the House of Jacob (the southern kingdom, often called Judah or the Jews) and scattered in the House of Israel (the northern kingdom, later lost among the Gentiles).

• Prophetic Tie to the Last Days: This wasn't about their immediate future but far-off history, where their traits would resurface in key events.

Jacob's words weren't just a family scolding; they foreshadowed how these tribes would influence major historical moments, blending Israelite identity with world events.

The Origin Story: The Cruelty That Sparked the Curse

To understand the prophecy, we need the backstory from Genesis 34. It's a tale of revenge gone wrong, showing Simeon and Levi's hot-headed nature.

• What Happened: Dinah, Jacob and Leah's daughter, was defiled by Shechem, a prince of the Hivites. Shechem wanted to marry her and integrate their tribes. Jacob stayed silent, but his sons were furious.

• The Deceptive Deal: Simeon and Levi tricked the Hivites into circumcising all their men as a condition for marriage and alliance.

• The Brutal Revenge: On the third day, when the men were sore, Simeon and Levi slaughtered them all, including Shechem and his father Hamor. They looted the city, taking possessions, women, and children captive.

• Jacob's Shame: Jacob was horrified, fearing it would ruin their reputation. The family fled in dishonour.

This event broke the "wall" – the spiritual barrier separating Israelites from other nations. Their self-will overpowered mercy, leading to unnecessary violence. It's why Jacob cursed their anger: it was fierce and cruel, echoing in future generations.

Think of it like this: Imagine two siblings whose impulsive rage not only hurts others but stains the whole family's name. Jacob's prophecy asks: When and how would this cruelty reappear in Israelite or British history?

Simeon's Fate: Scattered in the House of Israel – The House of Anjou (Plantagenet Dynasty)

Simeon's tribe was "scattered" among the House of Israel, which became "lost" tribes blending into Gentile nations. In history, this links to the Plantagenet kings of England, starting from France in AD 1154. Their story mirrors Simeon's curse: brotherly bonds turning to intrigue, violence, and division. The dynasty ruled England until 1399, fulfilling the prophecy through crusades, family betrayals, and fierce tempers.

Key Traits from the Prophecy

• United for Evil: Like Simeon and Levi, the Plantagenets were closely bonded but often for destructive ends – cruelty in their "habitations" (homes and hearts).

• Scattered Anger: Simeon's rage was spread thinly among his descendants, preventing unity and causing constant strife.

• Link to Women's Lineages: Biblical prophecies often flow through women (e.g., Sarah, Rebekah). In Plantagenet history, queens and mothers brought Israelite bloodlines into the throne, ensuring prophetic continuity.

The Plantagenet Kings: A Lineage of Fury and Intrigue

Henry II (1154–1189): Founder and Tempered Ruler

• Rose to power through his mother, Matilda (daughter of Henry I), and father, Geoffrey of Anjou.

• Married Eleanor of Aquitaine; had sons including Richard I and John.

• Brought order to chaotic England but had a notorious temper – frenzied travels and outbursts.

• Famous conflict: Appointed friend Thomas Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury, then allegedly had him murdered in a rage. Later repented publicly.

• Died humiliated by family betrayals, including Eleanor's hostility over his infidelity.

Henry's "justice" was often questioned, but his fierce anger marked him as Simeon's heir. His will supported crusades and holy causes, ironically while mistreating Jews.

Richard I "The Lionheart" (1189–1199): Crusader with Cruel Excesses

• Born in Oxford; devoted to crusades after Jerusalem fell to Saladin in 1187.

• Heroic image distorted – he was tall, athletic, and handsome, but blew "hot and cold."

• Cruel acts: Drowned invaders in Aquitaine; executed 2,700 prisoners at Acre over delayed ransom.

• Persecuted Jews: Allowed killings and deportations, often on false pretexts like ritual murders, to seize possessions. One ship left Jews to drown on a sandbar.

• Heraldry: Introduced three lions on England's seal, symbolising Jacob/Israel's lions .

• Died at 41; his "indignation" echoed Simeon's vengeance in Genesis 34.

This antisemitism fulfilled Isaiah 11:13 – Ephraim (Anglo-Saxon Christians) envying Judah (Jews).

King John (1199–1216): Villain or Victim?

• Youngest son of Henry II; seized throne from nephew Arthur, whom he captured and murdered.

• Lost French territories; excommunicated for defying Pope Innocent III over archbishop appointment.

• Forced to sign Magna Carta in 1215, granting barons liberties amid resentment.

• Anticlerical stance began separating "clay" (Israelite Britain) from "iron" (Roman Church) – see Daniel 2:43, Revelation 17:16-18.

• Died after plots; remembered as wicked, but loved by family.

Henry III (1216–1272): Boy King and Squanderer

• Ascended at 9; ruled by regents until 1227.

• Married Eleanor of Provence; had sons Edward and Edmund.

• Constant clashes with barons over taxes, foreign favourites, and papal alliances.

• Captured in civil war by Simon de Montfort; son Edward rescued him.

• Died peacefully, but his hot temper fueled unrest.

Edward I "Longshanks" (1272–1307): Consolidator and Expeller

• Struggled with barons; crusaded to Holy Land.

• Restricted papal power; unified British Isles by conquering Wales.

• Expelled Jews in 1290 amid false accusations and tooth-pulling tortures.

• Wars with France and Scotland; died en route to subdue Scots.

• Temper stories: Opponents died of fright; yet seen as the "best" Plantagenet.

English returned as national language, shifting from French/Latin.

Edward II (1307–1327): Weak Ruler in a Cruel Age

• Born in Wales; first Prince of Wales.

• Married Isabella ("She-Wolf of France"); influenced by favourite Piers Gaveston, executed by barons.

• Intrigues and battles; imprisoned and tortured to death by Isabella and Roger Mortimer.

• Showed courage in end, trusting God.

Edward III (1327–1377): Warrior and Decadent Elder

• Overthrew Mortimer at 18; wars with France (e.g., Battle of Crecy) and Scotland.

• Objected to papal supremacy; Black Death halted conflicts.

• Married Philippa of Hainault; later dominated by mistress Alice Perrers and son John of Gaunt.

• Famous temper; boasted "Britannia rules the waves."

• Died senile; reign marked by charm and ruthless anger.

Richard II (1377–1399): Emotional Tyrant

• Grandson of Edward III; ascended at 10 after family deaths.

• Faced plague, taxes, and French war; rebellions by nobles.

• Marriages to Anne of Bohemia and Isabella of France.

• Violent tempers and emotions led to downfall; imprisoned and likely murdered at 33.

• Oppression fueled discontent with Roman Church, seeding Reformation.

The Plantagenets' see-saw fortunes reflect each Israelite tribe's unique blessings influencing the throne. Their beauty charmed, but cruelty defined them, fulfilling Simeon's scattering.

Simeon's line gave way to Zebulun (House of Lancaster).

Levi's Fate: Divided in the House of Jacob – The Jewish Priesthood

Levi shared Simeon's curse but was "divided" in the House of Judah (Jews). While Simeon scattered among Gentiles, Levi stayed Jewish, becoming the Levitical priesthood. Early heroes like Moses and Aaron elevated them, but the "last days" curse hit during Roman times, showing cruelty and division.

Early Role and Blessing

• Chosen as priests after staying faithful during the golden calf incident .

• Moses' blessing in Deuteronomy 33:8-11 highlighted their teaching role for both Jacob (Jews) and Israel (Gentiles).

• Two-fold nature: Zeal for God (e.g., Phinehas in Numbers 25) vs. duplicity and savagery.

Levi wasn't fully "blessed" – the curse waited for the last days.

Division in History

• Given cities in Israel .

• Post-Babylon return: Registered in Nehemiah 7; Zadok's line faithful .

• Under Romans: Priesthood corrupted; high priests appointed by politics, not pure lineage (per Josephus).

Last Days Cruelty: Roman Era and Jesus' Time

• Divided into sects: Sadducees (aristocratic, pro-Roman; denied resurrection); Pharisees (strict Law-keepers); Essenes (ascetic, Dead Sea Scrolls); Scribes.

• Sadducees: Linked to Zadok; joined Pharisees to plot Jesus' death .

• Pharisees: Persecuted Christians; Paul was one before conversion .

• Cruelty Fulfilled: High Priest Caiaphas plotted Jesus' death for "expediency" , blinding Judah.

• John the Baptist called them "vipers" .

• Persecuted early Christians: Imprisoned apostles ; killed James.

With Jerusalem's fall in AD 70 , sects vanished, fulfilling scattering.

The Pure Line: John the Baptist Escapes the Curse

Amid division, a righteous lineage persisted from Aaron. John the Baptist's parents: Zacharias (priest of Abijah's course, 

1 Chronicles 24:10) and Elizabeth (daughter of Aaron, Luke 1:5).

• John, ordained by Gabriel, baptised Jesus to fulfil Law .

• Untarnished priest: Recoiled at task but completed it, touching the "new covenant" (Jesus).

• Later, corrupt priests sacrificed Jesus as Passover Lamb.

Levi's dual nature – savage and pure – divided the tribe, but prophecy ran its course. Like Simeon, Levi fulfilled Genesis 49 to the letter, blending history and scripture in profound ways.

Page 10.

Chapter 11:

Judah - Son of Jacob, of the House of Judah (Jew)

Judah's story is rich with prophecy, especially in the blessing his father Jacob gave him in Genesis 49:8-12. This isn't just ancient history—it's a roadmap for the "last days," a time Jacob described as stretching from the Roman era, when Jews were scattered from the Holy Land, right through to our modern world, including the 20th century when some Jews returned to Israel. We'll unpack this blessing verse by verse, making it clearer and more relatable. Think of it as a puzzle: each piece reveals how Judah's lineage points to triumph, struggle, and ultimately, a Messiah who changes everything. We'll connect history, prophecy, and Scripture without losing the original depth, using straightforward language to help you follow along.

The Context of the Blessing

Before diving in, remember: Jacob's words in Genesis 49 are prophetic summaries for each of his sons, focused on Israel's "last days." For Judah, this means the Jewish people (the House of Judah) facing exile, persecution, and restoration. The blessing highlights Judah's role in producing a royal line, including the Messiah—Jesus of Nazareth. Some Jews questioned why the Messiah came from Judah, not Levi (the priestly tribe), as discussed in Hebrews 7:11-17. But Jacob's prophecy looks beyond that, to a time when Judah's descendant earns praise not just from Jews, but from all Israel, including the lost tribes among the Gentiles.

This blessing unfolds in layers: praise for Judah through Jesus, power over enemies, and a coming king. It's fulfilled partly in history (like the Jewish return to Israel in 1948) and partly in the future (Christ's return). Let's break it down verse by verse.

The Context of the Blessing

Before diving in, remember: Jacob's words in Genesis 49 are prophetic summaries for each of his sons, focused on Israel's "last days." For Judah, this means the Jewish people (the House of Judah) facing exile, persecution, and restoration. The blessing highlights Judah's role in producing a royal line, including the Messiah—Jesus of Nazareth. Some Jews questioned why the Messiah came from Judah, not Levi (the priestly tribe), as discussed in Hebrews 7:11-17. But Jacob's prophecy looks beyond that, to a time when Judah's descendant earns praise not just from Jews, but from all Israel, including the lost tribes among the Gentiles.

This blessing unfolds in layers: praise for Judah through Jesus, power over enemies, and a coming king. It's fulfilled partly in history (like the Jewish return to Israel in 1948) and partly in the future (Christ's return). Let's break it down verse by verse.

Verse 8: Praise, Power, and Homage

"JUDAH THOU ART HE WHOM THY BRETHREN SHALL PRAISE: THY HAND SHALL BE IN THE NECK OF THINE ENEMIES: THY FATHER'S CHILDREN SHALL BOW DOWN BEFORE THEE."

The Praise for Judah

This wasn't fully realised in Roman times, when many Jews rejected Jesus, a descendant of Judah. Back then, the tribe of Levi held the priesthood and leadership in Judaea. Instead, this praise points to later history—after Judaea's fall and the Jewish diaspora. The word "praise" here means honouring with gratitude and glory to God.

Surprisingly, this praise isn't directed at the Jewish people themselves, who have often faced criticism and hardship. It centres on one perfect man from Judah's line: Jesus of Nazareth. His flawless life, obedience, and righteousness brought a Judeo-Christian way of life that transformed humanity. Billions have thanked Judah's lineage for producing such a son!

The "brethren" praising Judah aren't just Levi and Benjamin (the core of the House of Judah). They include the other 10 tribes of Israel, scattered among Gentile nations and now largely Christians. These Christians honour God for sending the Redeemer from Judah.

Power Over Enemies

Look at modern Israel: a tiny land that captivates the world. Despite its size and the Jewish people's turbulent history, events there echo globally. This ties into: "THY HAND SHALL BE IN THE NECK OF THINE ENEMIES."

This prophecy fits our era, especially post-1948 when Israel was reborn. Jews endured Roman conquest, nearly 2,000 years of wandering, and horrors like the Holocaust. Now, surrounded by foes (including descendants of Esau in places like Arab nations, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq—echoing Daniel 11), Judah stands firm. "Hand in the neck" suggests being embedded among enemies, like a vulnerable spot, yet able to strike back. It's like the saying "cop it in the neck"—hurting others while being attacked yourself. Judah is encircled but resilient.

Bowing in Homage

"THY FATHER'S CHILDREN SHALL BOW DOWN BEFORE THEE" points to Christ's future kingdom, the sixth in biblical prophecy (the "stone" in Nebuchadnezzar's dream from Daniel 2). This isn't about Jesus' first coming in Roman times. All Jacob's descendants—including Ephraim and Manasseh as full tribes —will bow to the Son of God from Judah. Many already have through centuries of prayer.

Verse 9: Judah as a Lion

"JUDAH IS A LIONS WHELP: FROM THE PREY, MY SON, THOU ART GONE UP: HE STOOPED DOWN, HE COUCHED AS A LION, AND AS AN OLD LION: WHO SHALL ROUSE HIM UP?"

The Young Lion

Jacob is the "old lion," and Judah his "whelp"—a young cub carrying the bloodline . "Whelp" implies something youthful but often used contemptuously in history.

"FROM THE PREY, MY SON, THOU ART GONE UP" describes Judah's people as vulnerable prey, devoured by stronger nations in youth. Yet, they rise above it, distancing themselves and achieving heights in various lands—guided, not always inferior.

The Crouching and Rising Lion

"HE STOOPED DOWN, HE COUCHED AS A LION" shows Judah bending low in submission or hiding during exile. For nearly 2,000 years after Jerusalem's fall in AD 70, Jews stayed inconspicuous, like a young lion close to the ground.

As an "OLD LION," experienced after centuries, they gain wisdom. "WHO SHALL ROUSE HIM UP?" asks who will stir this seasoned people to collective action. After mourning Jerusalem and suffering under Hitler, God roused them—leading to Israel's rebirth and strength.

Verse 10: The Sceptre and Shiloh

"THE SCEPTRE SHALL NOT DEPART FROM JUDAH, NOR A LAWGIVER FROM BETWEEN HIS FEET, UNTIL SHILOH COME; AND UNTO HIM SHALL THE GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE BE."

The Enduring Monarchy

The "sceptre" symbolises royal authority—it never leaves Judah, despite history's ups and downs. Jews have often rejected Jesus as their king, clinging to rituals and traditions, much like the "stiff-necked" people in Exodus 32:9 and Deuteronomy 10:16.

Yet, from Judah came Israel's true ruler: Micah 5:2 promises one from tiny Bethlehem to rule all Israel. This was David . Like it or not, Jesus has been king since His birth.

"NOR A LAWGIVER FROM BETWEEN HIS FEET" means Judah always has leaders (rabbis) born from its own people, guiding through genetics and tradition, even in exile.

The Coming of Shiloh

"UNTIL SHILOH COME" isn't about the ancient city of Shiloh —it's forward-looking for the "last days." Shiloh means peace or salvation, describing a person: the Messiah. In ancient Shiloh, God's presence brought redemption. That "city of salvation" reappeared in Jesus, baptised in Roman times as Israel's Redeemer.

Dan's blessing echoes this: "I HAVE WAITED FOR THY SALVATION, O LORD" . Dan, among the House of Israel in Gentiles, received Shiloh. Judah will too, as Isaiah 26:1 says: a song in Judah about a "strong city" (Shiloh) of salvation.

"AND UNTO HIM SHALL THE GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE BE" has two parts: Jesus' first coming gathered some; His return will unite both houses of Israel in truth.

Verse 11: Binding the Vines

"BINDING HIS FOAL UNTO THE VINE, AND HIS ASS'S COLT UNTO THE CHOICE VINE; HE WASHED HIS GARMENTS IN WINE, AND HIS CLOTHES IN THE BLOOD OF GRAPES."

This continues describing Shiloh (Jesus). Zechariah 9:9 prophesies: the king comes humbly on an ass and colt, bringing salvation. Fulfilled in Matthew 21:4-7 and John 12:15, but notice: Zechariah mentions "daughter of Zion" (House of Israel) and "daughter of Jerusalem" (House of Judah). Matthew and John focus on Zion because Judah rejected Him.

The two animals bind to two vines:

• The "vine": House of Judah (Jew), the "pleasant plant" .

• The "choice vine": House of Israel among Gentiles, chosen for the Gospel .

Jesus bound them by entering Jerusalem, redeeming both despite broken brotherhood . Judah "shouted" Hosanna then crucify; Zion rejoiced greatly as Christians.

"HE WASHED HIS GARMENTS IN WINE, AND HIS CLOTHES IN THE BLOOD OF GRAPES" means Jesus endured testing for both houses. Wine (fermented, intoxicating) led to His death by Judah and Romans (lots cast for garments). Blood of grapes (milder) brought torment in Christian history, but cautiously navigable.

Verse 12: Eyes Red, Teeth White

"HIS EYES SHALL BE RED WITH WINE, AND HIS TEETH WHITE WITH MILK."

Shiloh's dual role: Immersed in doubt and terror like drowning in wine, His eyes "red" from overwhelming pain . Yet, innocent like a babe, His words (over "teeth white with milk") nourished with purity, forgiving even tormentors.

Jacob's blessing for Judah is profound—foresightful, sorrowful, and triumphant. It weaves history and prophecy, showing Judah's line as the source of salvation for all.

Page 11.

Chapter 12. 

Zebulun: The Fifth Son and the 

House of Lancaster (AD 1399–1471)

In the biblical account of Jacob's blessings to his sons, Zebulun—Leah's sixth son but listed fifth—receives a prophecy that's intriguing for its ties to the "last days." This chapter explores how this ancient blessing unfolds in history through the House of Lancaster in England. We'll break it down step by step, linking the prophecy to real events, people, and places. By simplifying the narrative, we aim to make this complex blend of prophecy and history easier to follow, while keeping the depth intact. Think of it as a hidden puzzle in time, where God's plan weaves through kings, ships, and borders.

Zebulun's Biblical Blessing

Zebulun was born to Leah, as described in Genesis 30:19. In Jacob's final blessings, recorded in Genesis 49:13, we read: "ZEBULUN SHALL DWELL AT THE HAVEN OF THE SEA; AND HE SHALL BE FOR A HAVEN OF SHIPS; AND HIS BORDER SHALL BE UNTO ZIDON."

At first glance, this might evoke ancient Middle Eastern ports like Tyre and Sidon (Zidon) in Phoenicia. But the prophecy points to the "last days"—our modern era—where its meaning expands. It cleverly hides clues about Israel's descendants, revealing their identity in history. "Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea" suggests a people lingering in a safe harbour, like travellers in a foreign land. This "haven" is a shelter for ships, symbolising a maritime hub. As we'll see, this ties Zebulun to England's House of Lancaster, a lineage rich in shipping, royalty, and global reach.

Zebulun's Lineage: The House of Lancaster

In prophecy, Zebulun's descendants emerge under England's crown as the House of Lancaster, starting in Lancashire (now Merseyside, with Liverpool as its heart). Liverpool's name alone sparks images of ships—it's one of Britain's busiest ports after London, handling over 20 vessels daily. For centuries, its life has centred on merchants, trade, and global shipping, rising to fame about 250 years ago.

The House of Lancaster began in 1267 when King Henry III named his son Edmund Crouchback (AD 1245–96) Earl of Lancaster. Edmund's grandson became Henry of Lancaster. Then, in 1362, Edmund's daughter Blanche married John of Gaunt, Edward III's fourth son, making John Duke of Lancaster. Their son, Henry IV (Bolingbroke), became king in 1399–1413, positioning Zebulun as a key "toe" or "horn" in the prophetic "House of Israel" under England's throne.

The blessing shifts to personal responsibility: "he shall be for a haven of ships." This implies Zebulun's leader would command seas and harbours beyond Liverpool—ruling as king over England's many ports. Henry IV fulfilled this, but his father, John of Gaunt, set the stage.

 John of Gaunt: Laying the Foundations

Born in Ghent (Belgium)—hence "Gaunt"—John was a powerhouse. Through marriages, he claimed titles like King of Castile and Leon (Spain), Duke of Lancaster, Earl of Derby, Lincoln, Leicester, and more. He ruled England informally during Edward III's later years and Richard II's early reign.

John inherited vast estates in England and Wales from his first wife, Blanche (died 1369). In 1371, he married Constance of Castile, claiming her Spanish throne (unsuccessfully in 1386). His daughter later married King Henry III of Castile. After Constance's death in 1394, John wed Catherine Swynford; their children bore the Beaufort name. John died in 1399, paving the way for Henry IV to claim the Lancaster estates—and more.

Henry IV: Claiming the Throne and Expanding Borders

Exiled in France by King Richard II, who seized the Lancaster lands, Henry returned with an army in 1399. He not only reclaimed his inheritance but seized the English throne, despite challenges to his lineage (he traced it to Henry III, 1216–72). Critics called him a usurper, but Henry ruled with mercy, capability, and ambition.

Born in Lincolnshire in 1367, Henry was short, stocky, with auburn hair. His reign (1399–1413) faced murder, plague, Welsh revolts under Owain Glyndwr, and religious persecution laws. Personally, he battled guilt over deposing Richard II, worsened by a skin ailment (possibly leprosy) he saw as divine judgement.

Henry's life mirrored Zebulun's "haven of ships"—a stormy voyage. He travelled extensively: crusading with Teutonic Knights against Lithuanian pagans, sieging Vilna, visiting Danzig, Prague, Vienna, Venice, Rhodes, Jaffa, Jerusalem, Cyprus, and more. He dealt with rulers from Constantinople, Turks, Abyssinia, and Timur.

Despite adventures, his rule brought uncertainty: piracy plagued British coasts, and trade dwindled amid invasions from Wales, Scotland, and France. A soothsayer predicted death in "Jerusalem"; in 1413, ill at Westminster Abbey, Henry seized in a room called Jerusalem and died, fulfilling the omen.

Henry also eyed Spain through his father's claims, linking to the blessing's "his border shall be unto Zidon."

Unravelling Zidon: From Ancient Phoenicia to Spain

Why Zidon in a "last days" prophecy? Ancient Zidon (Sidon) was a Phoenician seaport in Canaan, near tribes like Asher and Zebulun. But prophecy shifts: in modern times, Zidon represents Spain, due to Phoenician migrations.

Around 1100 BC (or 880 BC per some scholars), Phoenicians from Tyre and Zidon sailed through the Pillars of Hercules (Gibraltar) to Spain—the ancient world's western edge. They traded metals with Celts and Iberians, founding colonies like Cadiz, Villarius, Adra, Almunecar, and Malaga. They developed fishing and agriculture inland.

Carthaginians (Phoenician kin) controlled Spain from the 6th–3rd centuries BC, settling Gades and Cartagena. Romans later seized it in the Punic Wars ("Punic" from Phoenician roots). Echoes of "Sidon" persist: in 1588, the Spanish Armada against England was led by the Duque de Medina-Sidonia.

Thus, Spain is prophetic "Zidon" due to Phoenician bloodlines. Zebulun's "haven of ships" extends from England's coasts to France's ports (e.g., St Nazaire, Brest, Cherbourg, Le Havre, Dieppe, Calais), stopping at Spain's border in the Bay of Biscay. John of Gaunt's Spanish claims were empty—Zebulun's blessing reaches "unto" Zidon, not claiming it.

Henry V: Conquering France and Peak Fulfilment

Henry IV's son, Henry V (1413–1422), was a complex hero: mild yet fierce, chivalrous and just. Born in Monmouth, he clashed with his father but shone as a leader.

His ambition? Conquer France. Reviving Edward III's claims, he invaded in 1415 amid French civil war. Despite outnumbered forces, he triumphed at Agincourt using skilled fighters and Welsh longbows, subduing northern France. In 1417, with a larger army, he forced the Treaty of Troyes (1420): marrying Catherine of Valois (Charles VI's daughter), claiming France's throne as heir.

Henry's gains were brief; he died of dysentery in 1422, weeks before Charles VI. His infant son inherited both crowns. Agincourt made Henry Europe's supreme ruler, expanding Zebulun's "havens" to France. Notably, Normandy—France's "key"—fell first, echoing prophetic themes from William the Conqueror onward.

Henry VI: Turmoil, Loss, and the End of Zebulun's Era

At nine months old, Henry VI (1422–1471) became king of England and France—Zebulun's blessing at its height, ruling seas from England to France's borders with Spain.

History's youngest monarch, he reigned longest, was crowned in both nations, deposed twice, imprisoned in the Tower, restored, and died mysteriously. Pious and scholarly, with insanity spells, he relied on wife Margaret of Anjou (married 1445). Their son Edward died in the Wars of the Roses—battles between Lancastrians (red rose) and Yorkists (white rose).

Orphaned young, Henry barely knew his mother Catherine, who became the Tudor dynasty's grandmother. His reign spiralled into 30 years of civil war, losing French territories. With Henry VI's death, Zebulun's birthright ended under England's crown, passing to Issachar (House of York).

Interestingly, Zebulun's fifth-place listing in Genesis 49 "usurps" Issachar's spot—mirrored in history, where Lancaster usurped York's claim (from Edward III's second vs. fourth son), sparking the Wars of the Roses.

Prophecy Fulfilled: A Marvellous Tapestry

This story reveals God's intricate work: aligning nations, marriages, and ambitions to fulfil ancient words. From genetic lines to royal intrigues, prophecy weaves through history. Men's interference? God redirects to fit His plan. Israel's tribes—brothers and cousins—inherit similarly under England's crown, blending peoples into one.

No longer can we doubt: God rules in human kingdoms. Understanding it paints a vivid picture of divine purpose in our world.

Page 12.

Chapter 13: Issachar – House of York

Edward IV and Richard III (1461–1485

Issachar’s Blessing

Genesis 49:14–15 (KJV) “Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens: And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.”

The blessing describes a man who is powerful and energetic, yet willing to carry heavy loads. When the fighting stops, he enjoys life to the full, but he will also bend his back to hard work and, in the end, see his line submit to another.

Edward IV of the House of York perfectly matched this picture.

Edward IV – The Strong Ass

Edward IV (reigned 1461–1470 and 1471–1483) was the first Yorkist king. Tall (over six feet), handsome, brave in battle, and tireless on the march, he never seemed to grow weary or lose heart. Yet once peace came, he gave himself up to pleasure – fine clothes, women, feasting, and luxury. At only twenty-two the responsibilities of the crown often felt like a bridle he did not want to wear.

He was born in Rouen, France, in 1442, the son of Richard Duke of York and Anne Mortimer (heiress of Edward III). He was the true heir of Richard II, although two troubled generations had passed since then. By Edward’s time England had lost almost all her French lands and was turning inward, seeking new outlets for her energy.

The Two Burdens

Genesis speaks of Issachar “couching down between two burdens”. For Edward these were the two parts of his reign:

1. First Burden (1461–1470) – war and the struggle to keep the throne.

2. Second Burden (1471–1483) – peace, trade, law-making, and rebuilding the kingdom.

The young king began with high hopes after defeating the Lancastrians in the Wars of the Roses. The country was exhausted by civil war and, for the first time, many were ready to accept strong royal rule.

In 1464 Edward secretly married a commoner, Elizabeth Woodville. When the marriage became known, it angered the proud nobles – especially the Earl of Warwick (“the Kingmaker”), who had put Edward on the throne and had planned a grand foreign alliance for him. While Edward enjoyed himself, Warwick had been running the country. The secret marriage broke the partnership.

Warwick rebelled, allied with the Lancastrians, and in 1470 drove Edward into exile in Holland. Henry VI (seen here as Zebulun) was briefly restored as a puppet king. Thus ended the “first burden”.

In 1471 Edward returned with an army funded by his brother-in-law, Charles the Bold of Burgundy. He won decisive victories, recaptured the throne, and imprisoned Henry VI, who soon died (almost certainly murdered) in the Tower. The “second burden” now began.

Rest That Was Good, Land That Was Pleasant

With peace restored, Edward turned his enormous energy to governing. He hated war, having seen enough of it, and now wanted only to make England rich and orderly.

• He freed the Crown from debt – a remarkable achievement when the king’s private money and public money were treated as one.

• He traded wool on a huge scale himself and grew wealthy without constantly begging Parliament for taxes.

• He personally heard court cases to ensure justice was done.

• He welcomed William Caxton and the new art of printing.

• He set up a proper postal system using riders.

• He made a profitable peace with France: Louis XI paid him a large pension to keep English armies at home.

Edward truly “saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant”. He bowed his shoulder to the hard daily work of ruling, becoming, in the words of Genesis, “a servant unto tribute” – living off the wealth his policies created.

He died suddenly in 1483, aged only forty-one.

The End of the Yorkist Line

Edward left two young sons: Edward V (aged 12) and Richard. Their uncle, Richard Duke of Gloucester, seized power, imprisoned the boys in the Tower, and had them declared illegitimate. The “Princes in the Tower” were never seen again. Bones found in 1674 are widely believed to be theirs.

Richard III was crowned in 1483. He ruled well for two years – continuing Edward’s policies, writing laws in English, and making peace with Scotland – but he could not escape the stain of the princes’ murder.

In 1485 Henry Tudor (with Lancastrian and some Yorkist blood, linked here to the tribe of Dan) defeated and killed Richard III at Bosworth. The Wars of the Roses ended. Henry married Edward IV’s daughter Elizabeth of York, uniting the red rose and the white.

Servant Unto Tribute

With Richard III’s death the direct male line of York (Issachar) came to an end. The crown passed to another line – exactly as Genesis 49:15 foretold: Issachar “became a servant unto tribute”. The Plantagenet dynasty, after generations of murder, illegitimacy, and civil war, submitted to a new house.

Only Edward IV fully lived out the earlier part of the blessing – the strong ass who fought, then rested and made the land pleasant. His brother Richard carried only the final part: handing the crown to another.

Zebulun and Issachar Together

Deuteronomy 33:18–19 links the two tribes closely: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents… They shall call the people unto the mountain… they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand.”

Lancaster and York, red rose and white, were branches of the same Plantagenet family. Their long struggle, their seafaring reach, and their eventual union under the Tudors fulfilled the ancient words: two brother-tribes ruling the Isles and the seas around them until their strength was spent and the crown passed on.

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Chapter 14: 

The 7th Son – Dan and the House of Tudor

This chapter explores the biblical prophecy for the tribe of Dan from Genesis 49:16-18, linking it to the Tudor dynasty in England (from Henry VII to Elizabeth I, AD 1457–1603). We'll break it down step by step, blending history and prophecy in a way that's easier to follow. Think of Dan's story as a dual role: a shrewd judge in worldly affairs and a guardian of spiritual freedom. The Tudors, with their Welsh roots, embody this – fierce rulers who shaped Britain's path, fulfilling ancient predictions while navigating real-world power struggles.

Dan's Biblical Prophecy: A Dual Blessing

Jacob's blessing to his son Dan in Genesis 49:16-18 is a two-part prophecy, meant for the "latter days" when the tribes of Israel would resurface in history. Here's the exact KJV text:

• Verse 16: "DAN SHALL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE, AS ONE OF THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL".

• Verse 17: "DAN SHALL BE A SERPENT BY THE WAY, AN ADDER IN THE PATH, THAT BITETH THE HORSE HEELS, SO THAT HIS RIDER SHALL FALL BACKWARD".

• Verse 18: "I HAVE WAITED FOR THY SALVATION, O LORD".

"Dan" means "judge" in Hebrew, reflecting his origins. Born to Rachel's maid Bilhah but adopted by Rachel .

After the Assyrian captivity scattered the tribes, Dan fades from view – until we see echoes in British history. The prophecy portrays Dan as a judge over Israel, sneaky and venomous like a serpent or adder, toppling the proud. Yet, it ends with waiting for God's salvation, hinting at a spiritual rescue. In this view, the Tudors – Welsh descendants tied to ancient Celtic-Israelite roots – step into this role, ruling England as part of the "House of Israel" in the British Isles.

The Tudor Dynasty: Dan's Lineage in British History

The Tudors rose from Welsh nobility, claiming the English throne after the Wars of the Roses. Their heraldic symbol? A red dragon (later gold under Elizabeth I) – a fitting "serpent" emblem from Welsh legend, symbolising defence and defiance. This ties into prophecy: Dan as a serpent striking down the arrogant, like those "riding high horses" of status and power.

Unlike earlier Norman or Plantagenet rulers (linked to other tribes like Reuben), the Tudors brought fresh Welsh blood into England's royal line since 1066. They encouraged Welsh migration back to England, strengthening ties. Their rule unified the British Isles under a stronger crown, though Wales, Scotland, and Ireland chafed under it – a "judgement" that demanded obedience.

Key to their story: They weren't just kings and queens; they were prophetic judges, blending secular cunning with spiritual reform. Let's meet the main players.

Henry VII: The Shrewd Founder (Reigned 1485–1509)

Born in Pembroke Castle, Wales, in 1457, Henry Tudor (Duke of Richmond) was the son of Edmund Tudor and Margaret Beaufort. Descended from Owen Tudor and Catherine of Valois (widow of Henry V), he survived the bloody Wars of the Roses as the last Lancastrian hope. Exiled in Brittany, he returned in 1485, invading with a mostly Welsh army. At Bosworth Field, he defeated Richard III – despite being outnumbered – and claimed the throne.

Henry embodied the "serpent by the way": astute, watchful, and subtle. He crushed Yorkist uprisings, executing rivals swiftly. A master of business and diplomacy, he built a spy network at home and abroad, amassing wealth and respect through fear. He balanced England's budget from debt to surplus, lending to nobles and kings alike.

To secure his line, he married Elizabeth of York, uniting rival houses. He proclaimed himself King of England, France, Prince of Wales, and Lord of Ireland. His genealogy traced back to biblical figures like Noah's son Shem (not Japheth, as some claimed), aligning with Israelite prophecy – not Viking gods or Norman roots.

Henry tamed the nobility by promoting loyal men over arrogant peers. He named his first son Arthur after ancient Welsh legends, honouring his heritage (though Arthur died young). Of eight children, only Henry VIII, Margaret, and Mary survived. By his death in 1509, worn out by relentless work, Henry left a secure, wealthy throne – wiping out rival royal bloodlines, as a Spanish ambassador noted.

Henry VIII: The Defiant Reformer (Reigned 1509–1547)

Son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, born in 1491, Henry VIII inherited a rich kingdom. Tall, athletic, and charismatic – nicknamed "Bluff King Hal" – he loved sports, hunting, and Renaissance learning. Devoutly Catholic at first, Pope Leo X dubbed him "Defender of the Faith."

But his father's greed shaped his fate: To keep Catherine of Aragon's dowry after brother Arthur's death, Henry married her. Six pregnancies yielded only Mary (later "Bloody Mary") surviving; no male heir. By 1529, desperate for a son, Henry sought divorce – splitting his reign.

He became the ultimate "adder in the path," striking down obstacles with venom. Cardinal Wolsey fell for failing to secure the divorce, losing power and wealth. Henry defied Rome, marrying Anne Boleyn in 1533 (Elizabeth I's mother). Excommunicated in 1538, he dissolved monasteries, seizing their riches – exposing corruption like lazy monks, concubines, and illegitimate children.

His six wives: Catherine (divorced), Anne Boleyn (executed 1536), Jane Seymour (died in childbirth, mother of Edward VI), Anne of Cleves (annulled), Catherine Howard (executed 1542), Catherine Parr (survived). Henry scorned papal authority, fulfilling prophecy by breaking Rome's "iron" grip on Israel's "clay" .

By 1547, obese and pained by gout, Henry died – despotic but loyal to his subjects. He established a Protestant-leaning church, paving the way for spiritual freedom.

Edward VI: The Young Protestant (Reigned 1547–1553)

Born in 1537 to Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, Edward ascended at age nine. Frail and tubercular, he ruled under uncle Edward Seymour as Lord Protector. Both pushed Reformation, solidifying Protestantism.

Ambitions swirled around the boy-king, but he favoured reform. Dying at 15 in 1553, he left a legacy of religious progress amid court intrigue.

Mary I: The "Bloody" Catholic (Reigned 1553–1558)

Daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine, born in 1516, Mary inherited via her father's will. Devoutly Catholic, she reversed reforms, restoring papal authority. Her 1554 marriage to Philip of Spain sparked rebellion; joining his war lost Calais to France.

Nicknamed "Bloody Mary," she revived heresy laws, burning 300 Protestants at the stake – from nobles to humble folk. This "serpent" struck with fanaticism, aiming to reseal Rome's chains. But it backfired, fueling anti-Catholic hatred and sealing England's Protestant shift.

Childless and unhappy, she died in 1558 after five years – obstinate but lacking sense, the least successful Tudor.

Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen and Deliverer (Reigned 1558–1603)

Born in 1533 to Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth ascended at 25 amid rejoicing. Auburn-haired, eloquent, and courageous, she learned caution in youth, surviving imprisonment under Mary.

Deemed illegitimate by Catholics, she still ruled 45 years – a divine right, gender aside. As "adder," she unseated foes, taming ministers and solving religious divides nationally. She chose Protestantism, becoming Supreme Head of the Church, imprisoning or executing Catholic bishops.

Facing France and Spain , she defied a peace pact against England. Excommunicated, she executed Mary Queen of Scots reluctantly. Wise advisers helped, but her iron will prevailed.

Elizabeth scorned marriage for duty, remaining the "Virgin Queen" to avoid Catholic heirs. Her era brought wealth, exploration, and culture – the "Golden Age."

Dan's Spiritual Role: Waiting for Salvation

Verse 18 – "I HAVE WAITED FOR THY SALVATION, O LORD" – shifts to Dan's deeper purpose: spiritual deliverance. Christianity reached Britain early (bishops by the 3rd century; martyr St. Alban around AD 286–303). Celtic Christians hid from invaders, thriving in Wales despite Roman Catholicism's arrival in 596 AD.

The Tudors, especially Elizabeth, ended Rome's "iron" stranglehold. Henry's break, Edward's reforms, and Elizabeth's laws freed people to read the Bible, worship freely, and escape persecution. This "salvation" – preserving from destruction – sparked the English Reformation, birthing Protestants, Puritans, and sects.

Like leaven rising dough, it fostered denominations, intellectual faith, and truth-seeking. Without it, ritual and fables would dominate. Today's freedoms stem from this: proving all things , quenching not the Spirit.

Legacy: Dan's Ongoing Judgement

The Tudors mastered rule, scorning rivals and building a "horn of plenty." They judged secularly (toppling the proud) and spiritually (delivering from Rome). Dan's role persists: a voice from Dan warns of end-time affliction .

Through maternal lines (as prophecy's "second choice"), Dan upholds truth for Israel – ancient to modern. This dynasty wasn't just history; it was prophecy in action, guiding the House of Israel toward light and salvation.

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Chapter 15: 

Gad - The Eighth Son and 

the House of Stuart

The tribe of Gad, one of Jacob's sons, is linked in biblical prophecy to the House of Stuart, which ruled Britain from James I in 1603 to Queen Anne in 1714. This chapter explores how Gad's prophecy in Genesis unfolds through the Stuarts' dramatic history—a tale of triumphs, defeats, religious clashes, and political upheavals. We'll break it down step by step, blending history with prophecy to show how a "troop" of challenges overwhelmed the Stuarts at first, but they ultimately overcame in the end. Think of it as a real-life epic where divine promises play out amid kings, wars, and revolutions.

The Prophecy: Genesis 49:19

Jacob's blessing to his son Gad is short but packed with meaning: "GAD, A TROOP SHALL OVERCOME HIM: BUT HE SHALL OVERCOME AT THE LAST."

In simple terms, this predicts that Gad's descendants—here tied to the Stuarts—would face overwhelming forces like crowds of people or armies ("a troop") that subdue them early on. Yet, in the end ("at the last"), they would turn the tables and prevail. The prophecy isn't just about survival; it hints at the Stuart name enduring through future royal lines, weaving into the broader story of Israel's tribes in Genesis 49. This sets the stage for the Stuarts' rollercoaster reign, where personal struggles mirror national ones, all while advancing themes of spiritual freedom and human resilience.

James I: From Scotland to a United Throne (1603–1625)

The Stuarts' story kicks off with James VI of Scotland becoming James I of England in 1603, peacefully uniting the crowns without bloodshed or rival claims from the Tudors. As the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, James embodied Gad's lineage. His title? King of Great Britain, Scotland, and Ireland. Confident in his divine right to rule—believing kings answered only to God—he took a leisurely journey to London, treating it like a holiday.

But prophecy loomed from the start. As a child king in Scotland, James was "overcome" by power-hungry guardians who mistreated him, shaping his harsh upbringing under strict Calvinism and Presbyterianism. This "troop" of influencers left lasting scars, making him react rebelliously later. Intelligent yet vain and shallow, James didn't win over the English court. His marriage to Anne of Denmark in 1589 produced daughter Elizabeth, whose line would later feed into the Hanoverians (linked to Asher in Genesis 49:20), ensuring the Stuart name's survival "at the last."

James's reign was marked by intolerance. He persecuted Puritans who sought religious freedom, driving many to emigrate—this helped fulfil promises to Manasseh in Genesis 48 by planting English colonies in America. The Pilgrim Fathers sailed in 1620 seeking liberty denied at home. James also oversaw the 1611 Authorised Version of the Bible, known as the King James Version, a lasting legacy that strengthened spiritual resolve.

Religious and political tensions simmered: the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, a failed Catholic attempt to assassinate him and Parliament, led to Guy Fawkes's execution. In Ireland, rebellions prompted resettling Ulster with English and Scots, boosting prosperity but fueling resentment. Despite his flaws, James's actions inadvertently freed the "mind of man" from Elizabethan-era constraints, fostering growth in thought and spirit.

His death in 1625 brought relief, paving the way for his son Charles I amid high hopes.

Charles I: Overcome by Civil War (1625–1649)

Charles I, James's second son (after brother Henry's early death), inherited the throne with initial popularity. Gracious in appearance but egotistical and untrustworthy, he married Catholic Henrietta Maria of France, whose influence and faith alienated many. Like his father, Charles ruled by divine right, bypassing laws and imposing taxes, which sparked outrage.

The "troop" of prophecy hit hard: grievances in religion, society, and economy built like a storm. Charles dissolved Parliament and ruled alone for 12 years, punishing critics brutally—ears cut off, cheeks slashed, imprisonment. Figures like John Pym, John Hampden, and Eliot spoke out, leading to the English Civil War (1642–1645). It pitted stylish Cavaliers (royalists) against plain Puritan Roundheads (parliamentarians).

Enter Oliver Cromwell, a humble gentleman turned brilliant general. His disciplined "Ironsides" army—motto: "Trust in God and keep your powder dry"—overwhelmed Charles's forces. Captured in 1646, Charles was tried as a tyrant, murderer, and enemy of the nation. Beheaded in 1649, he died with dignity, evoking public pity. This fulfilled Gad's prophecy to the letter: a "troop" of people and soldiers subdued him utterly.

The Interregnum and Restoration: Cromwell to Charles II (1649–1685)

Cromwell became Lord Protector for 11 years, refusing the crown himself—fitting, as he wasn't part of Jacob's princely blessings in Genesis 49. He crushed Irish rebellions harshly, earning lasting hatred there. Scotland and Ireland backed Charles's son, Charles II, who fled disguised as a servant, evading capture in narrow escapes before reaching France. He, too, was "overcome" by troops for years.

Cromwell died exhausted in 1658. England, weary of chaos, restored the monarchy in 1660, crowning Charles II in 1661. Married to Portuguese Catherine of Braganza for her dowry, Charles was extravagant, fathering many illegitimate children but none legitimate. Calamities struck: the 1665 Great Plague killed thousands, followed by the 1666 Great Fire of London. He sold Dunkirk to France and faced Dutch naval raids up the Thames.

Religious fears peaked with suspicions of Catholic leanings, especially his brother James's open faith, leading to the fabricated "Popish Plot" and executions. Yet Charles was capable and popular with common folk. He died in 1685, receiving Catholic absolution, after repeated "overcomings" by turmoil.

James II: Revolution and Exile (1685–1688)

James II, a devout Catholic and former sailor, succeeded his brother. Married first to Anne Hyde (producing Protestant daughters Mary and Anne), then to Mary Beatrice of Modena. Despite opposition, he took the throne, reigniting clashes between Catholicism ("iron") and Protestantism ("clay"), as foretold in Daniel.

Revolts were crushed harshly, but James underestimated Protestant power. The 1688 birth of a Catholic son threatened succession, horrifying Protestants. Opponents invited James's son-in-law, Protestant William of Orange (husband of Mary), to invade. William landed with an army; James's troops deserted, and even daughter Anne sided against him. Crying, "My children have forsaken me," James fled to France.

Defeated at the 1690 Battle of the Boyne in Ireland, James lived in exile until death. Another Stuart "overcome" by a troop.

Mary II and William III: Joint Rule and Stability (1689–1702)

Mary, James II's Protestant daughter, and William became joint sovereigns in 1689's Glorious Revolution. Though called the House of Orange, it's Stuart/Gad through Mary, the direct heir. William, son of Charles I's daughter Mary, kept the Gad thread intact.

Mary, devoted to her stern husband, rejected solo rule. They secured Protestantism, ended isolation, and drew Britain into European wars. Mary ruled capably during William's absences, handling crises in 1690 and 1692. Childless, she died of smallpox in 1694; William from a riding accident in 1702. Less "overcome" than predecessors, their reign marked a shift toward security for Gad.

Queen Anne: Overcoming at the Last (1702–1714)

Anne, Mary's sister, ascended at 37—obstinate, slow-witted, plagued by gout and dropsy. Married to uninterested Prince George of Denmark, she had 17 children, but none survived long. Feeling unworthy (believing her Catholic half-brother the true heir), she was a staunch Anglican.

"Overcome" by strong personalities like Sarah Churchill (later Duchess of Marlborough) and Abigail Masham, Anne's court swirled with factions. Yet her reign shone: military victories under Marlborough (Blenheim, Ramillies) humbled France. The 1707 Act of Union united England and Scotland. Literature flourished.

Childless and ailing, Anne died in 1714. Parliament named Protestant Sophia of Hanover's line (from James I's daughter) as successors, bypassing Catholic claimants. Mourned as "good Queen Anne," she personified Britain's glory. Here, Gad "overcame at the last"—secure and triumphant before the crown passed to Asher (George I of Hanover).

The Enduring Legacy: Gad's Name in Prophecy

The prophecy's "last" extends beyond the Stuarts: their name threads into future lines like Asher (Genesis 49:20), Naphtali (verse 21), and Joseph (verses 22+), enduring until all Genesis 49 prophecies conclude. Unlike Norman or Tudor names that faded, Stuart/Gad persists in Britain's crown, weaving God's plan for Israel.

This isn't random history—it's a divine tapestry. The Stuarts' struggles freed minds, spread colonies, and solidified Protestantism, revealing Israel's identity in modern times. Through "set patterns" and "set times," these events call the House of Israel to recognise its roots and God's marvellous works. 

Page 15.

Chapter 16: 

Asher - The Ninth Son and the 

House of Hanover (1714–1901)

The tribe of Asher, Jacob's ninth son, is linked in this prophetic narrative to the House of Hanover, which ruled Great Britain from 1714 to 1901. This era spans the reigns of George I, George II, George III, George IV, William IV, and Queen Victoria. It covers the elegant Georgian and Victorian periods, when Britain grew into a wealthy empire. We'll explore how biblical prophecies for Asher align with this historical chapter, breaking it down simply while keeping the depth. Think of it as a bridge between ancient words and real-world events—Britain's rise to "fatness" in riches and power, yielding a line of royal figures.

The Biblical Prophecy for Asher

Jacob's blessing for Asher comes from Genesis 49:20 in the King James Version: "Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties."

This short verse packs a punch. It foretells a time of abundance and a royal lineage producing delicate, refined heirs—like a family tree bearing fine fruits. We'll unpack it step by step, connecting it to Hanover's story.

Unpacking "His Bread Shall Be Fat"

Bread is often called the "staff of life"—it's basic sustenance. The old Teutonic word for bread (from Germanic roots) is "loaf," hinting at the cultural ties here. In prophecy, Asher's "bread" becoming "fat" means abundance: rich, fruitful, obese in wealth, and generating huge income.

During Hanover's rule, Britain ballooned into a prosperous empire. From the early Georgian era, the nation grew corpulent with riches, blooming fully in Victorian times. This "fatness" symbolises Britain's economic boom—think colonial expansions, industrial innovations, and a navy dominating the seas. The House of Hanover oversaw this shift, turning Britain from post-civil-war recovery (under the Stuarts) into a global powerhouse. Later, the line faded into the Houses of Saxe-Coburg and Windsor, but its peak fulfilled the prophecy.

The "Teutonic bread" ties into Germanic peoples, including Angles, Saxons, Goths, Dutch, Germans, Norse, Icelanders, Danes, and Swedes. Israel's tribes migrated through Europe, blending with these groups. The Hanoverians, like earlier British royals, carried these strains. Biblical hints in Hosea 8:8-10 and Hosea 11:10 describe Israel's path after Assyria's fall, aligning with these migrations. Celts and others picked up European influences too, shaping Britain's diverse people.

Before ruling Britain, Hanoverians enjoyed lavish lives in German courts: masked balls, banquets, Italian operas, and French comedies. This set the stage for their "fat" era on the throne.

Unpacking "He Shall Yield Royal Dainties"

"He" refers to Asher (through George I and his line). To "yield" means to produce or bring forth. "Royal" points to kings and their families. "Dainties" suggest something delicate, tender, or effeminately beautiful—refined selections from many options.

In history, this meant a prolific royal family yielding many children ("dainties"), eventually selecting a tender, youthful heir: Queen Victoria, who ascended at 18. The Hanoverians were fertile, unlike earlier lines like the Tudors (Dan) or Stuarts (Gad), where heirs were scarce or died young. George I had seven siblings; his descendants multiplied, often with large families. This abundance fulfilled the prophecy, producing royals who dipped into Europe's thrones.

George I: The German Founder (1714–1727)

George I, Elector of Hanover (1698–1727) and son of Ernest Augustus and Sophia (James I's granddaughter), took the British throne in 1714 after Queen Anne (Stuart/Gad line) under the Act of Settlement (1701). This fulfilled Gad's prophecy of being "overcome at the last," carrying the Stuart name forward.

Eldest of seven children (early "dainties"), George was cold, selfish, proud, lazy, and mean. He married Sophia Dorothea of Zell (his cousin), divorcing her for infidelity and imprisoning her until death. At 54, he was absent often, visiting Hanover, leaving governance to Robert Walpole and Parliament.

Thoroughly German, he brought advisers and mistresses, sparking unpopularity and Jacobite plots to restore James Stuart (the Old Pretender)—all failed. His ministers built sound policies, securing Hanover's place.

George saw Britain as prestige for Hanover and a goldmine for himself and friends. From a mere duchy ruler, his position "grew fat" as Britain's sovereign. The nation thrived: colonial investments, industry, agriculture. Walpole fostered peace and prosperity. Britain's "fatness" began, contrasting Stuart-era chaos.

George hated his son (a Hanoverian pattern) and died in 1727 en route to Hanover, buried there amid widespread dislike.

George II: The Fighting King (1727–1760)

George II, George I's only son, ascended in 1727. Like his father, he prioritised Hanover over England, subordinating British interests during European rebellions. He hated his eldest son, Frederick.

A methodical man with a sharp memory, his reign was mostly peaceful under Walpole (despite tensions). After the Queen's death (Walpole's ally), Walpole resigned.

Bonnie Prince Charlie (Stuart/Gad) attempted a throne grab but was defeated at Culloden (1746) by the Duke of Cumberland—another "overcoming" for Gad, paving Asher's path.

Ministers like William Pitt the Elder boosted Britain's "fatness." The Seven Years' War (1756–1763) ended victoriously: James Wolfe took Quebec (1759), ending French Canada; Robert Clive founded British India (1757); Admiral Hawke smashed the French fleet (1759). Victories piled up—so many, people joked about missing one.

George II, the last king to lead troops (Dettingen, 1743), died suddenly in 1760. Frederick had predeceased him (1751), so grandson George III succeeded.

George III: The Obstinate Ruler (1760–1820)

Born and educated in England, George III (aged 22) was obsessed with kingly power, ignoring advice—leading to misrule. His private life was stable, but mental illness caused madness bouts.

Married to Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, they had 15 children—more "dainties." He inherited a powerful kingdom.

Key events: Treaty of Paris (1763) ended wars; American Revolution (1776–1783), with France/Spain aiding colonies—Britain lost, but this freed Manasseh (America) to fulfill its prophecy . Brother-against-brother echoed biblical Israel.

Despite flaws, Britain industrialised: mines, factories, engineering. William Pitt the Younger made cabinets independent. Waterloo (1815) defeated Napoleon; Nelson shone in naval history.

Madness worsened; son became Regent (1811). George died in 1820, old and mad, but newly popular.

George IV: The Extravagant Prince (1820–1830)

Eldest of George III, George IV (Regent from 1811) was extravagant and morally lax, with many mistresses—his "bread" obese indeed.

Parliament dominated; no royal interference. Seven "dainties" waited: George IV, William (future IV), Dukes of York, Kent, Cumberland, Sussex, Cambridge—all luxurious and worthless.

Nicknamed "First Gentleman of Europe," he was gracious, artistic, but fat, unhealthy, loving wine, women, song, and extravagances. Became King of Hanover (1820–1830) via Vienna Congress.

Secretly married mistress Maria Fitzherbert (older, illegal); debts forced marriage to Caroline of Brunswick (reviled her). Separated after daughter Charlotte's birth (died 1817).

Nearly 60 at accession, prematurely aged, unpopular amid Industrial Revolution's poverty. Reigned 10 years; died 1830, crown to brother William.

William IV: The Sailor King (1830–1837)

"Sailor Bill" or "Silly Billy," William entered navy 1779, rising to rear admiral under Rodney, Hood, Nelson. Liaison with actress Dorothea Jordan yielded 10 children; married Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, two daughters died young.

Aged 65 at throne, amid restless Britain nearing civil war over politics. Reform Bill (1832) shifted power to people—monarchs weakened, individual freedoms grew. Stephenson's locomotive emerged.

His good nature and sense averted crisis. Died 1837; crown to niece Victoria. Hanover throne passed to brother Ernest Augustus.

Queen Victoria: The Ultimate Royal Dainty (1837–1901)

Victoria, daughter of Edward (Duke of Kent, George III's fourth son) and Victoria of Saxe-Coburg, born 1819. At 18, she embodied the "dainty": tender, youthful heir fulfilling prophecy.

Reigned 63 years; British Empire peaked—passport to the world, unparalleled progress. "Fatness" in Daniel's "toed foot" .

After uncles' excesses, she restored faith. Married Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (1840); devoted, he became Consort, handling state. Nine children; disliked eldest son Edward.

Albert died 1861; Victoria grieved deeply. Golden (1887) and Diamond (1897) Jubilees celebrated. Became Empress of India (1876). Empire spanned Australia to Africa; tribes bowed.

Her name echoed globally; anointed with "oil" of glory, strength like iron and brass. Held empire with arrogance.

Victoria's life: schools, books, films cover it. Bible adds in Daniel 11:30-32 and Naphtali's prophecy (later).

Line passed to Naphtali/Saxe-Coburg.

Additional Prophecy from Moses

Moses' words in Deuteronomy 33:24-25: "Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil. Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be."

Hanover fulfilled: abundant children (George I's seven siblings; multiplying onward). Victoria's nine married into Europe, making her "grandmother of Europe." Acceptable to brethren via power; dipped foot in oil (wealth/anointing) of nations. Strength (iron/brass) lasted Victorian era.

Family Legacy: The Royal Dainties Recapped

• George I: Two children (son, daughter); wife imprisoned 32 years.

• George II: Eight children; two sons, five daughters survived.

• George III: Fifteen children.

• George IV: One daughter (died young); separated from wife.

• William IV: Ten out-of-wedlock; two daughters died infancy.

• Victoria: Nine; linked to Europe's royals, dipping in "oil."

This prolific line yielded dainties, blending history and prophecy into Britain's golden age.

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Chapter 17: 

Naphtali - The 10th Son and the 

House of Sax-Coburg-Gotha

Naphtali, the 10th son of Jacob (also known as Israel), is linked in this prophetic narrative to the House of Sax-Coburg-Gotha within the British monarchy. This connection highlights King Edward VII, who ruled from 1901 to 1910. The story weaves ancient biblical prophecy with real historical events, showing how God's promises to the tribes of Israel played out over centuries. It's a tale of hidden truths in history, where divine plans unfold in the lives of kings and nations. Let's break it down step by step to make this fascinating interplay clear and relatable.

The Biblical Blessing for Naphtali

Jacob's blessing for Naphtali comes from Genesis 49:21: "NAPHTALI IS A HIND LET LOOSE: HE GIVETH GOODLY WORDS."

This short verse, from the King James Version of the Bible, packs a powerful punch. At first glance, it seems simple, but it perfectly mirrors the life of a specific British king. The prophecy isn't just poetic—it's a blueprint that history fulfilled exactly. As we explore it, you'll see how God has guided the tribes of Israel, fulfilling ancient vows made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This isn't chaos or coincidence; it's a "marvellous work" (as described in Isaiah 29:14) that humbles us and challenges stubborn myths or rituals that have blinded people for generations .

The Holy One of Israel has kept faith with these promises, bringing them to life in detail. Ignoring this means missing the deeper meaning of history and our own lives—turning the Scriptures "upside down" . But once you see it, it's awe-inspiring, like a hidden masterpiece revealed.

Unpacking the Prophecy: "Naphtali Is a Hind Let Loose"

Let's decode the verse bit by bit, connecting it to Edward VII's story. The word "hind" refers to a female red deer or stag—a graceful, princely creature. But here, it's symbolic: a "hind" can mean something that follows behind, in opposition to the front or head. The prophecy specifies "he," so this "hind" is a male figure who trails behind a leader, facing obstacles.

• "Let loose": "Let" implies allowing something to pass after removing a barrier. "Loose" means being freed from ties or burdens. Together, it paints a picture of someone long restrained, finally released from imprisonment-like constraints.

This isn't abstract—it's Edward VII's life in a nutshell. Born into the House of Saxony through his parents (his father, Prince Albert, from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and his mother, Queen Victoria), Edward embodied Naphtali's tribe under the British crown. His story shows divine rule in human kingdoms, proving God's hand in Israel's scattered houses.

Edward VII's Early Life: A Burdened Prince

Edward's childhood and youth were marked by strict control, mirroring the "hind" bound and impeded. As a baby, at just six months old, he was handed to a caregiver, Lady Lyttleton, whom he adored like a mother. By age seven, his days were filled with six hours of intense study, six days a week. He felt isolated, craving affection amid constant pressure.

Queen Victoria, his mother, was harsh. Some say she disliked him because he differed from his "angelic" father, Albert. She appointed tutors and a governor to monitor every move: no slouching, no hands in pockets, no free time. At universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh, he was isolated from peers, his lively spirit stifled.

When Prince Albert died in 1861 from typhoid fever, Victoria blamed Edward. Albert had travelled to address a minor scandal involving Edward in Ireland, returning ill. In her grief, Victoria withdrew, avoiding her son and venting blame. As a widow with nine children, she entered virtual retirement, leaving Edward sidelined.

Even as heir to the throne, Edward was shut out. Victoria withheld state secrets, ignoring pleas from Prime Minister Gladstone to involve him. She called it "improper," fearing he talked too much. Until age 50, he couldn't even read cabinet reports. Lord Palmerston noted her "unconquerable aversion" to Edward—she couldn't bear him near her.

This "imprisonment" lasted from boyhood to middle age, with Edward always "behind" his mother, the head of the empire. It was a heavy burden, opposing his natural warmth and potential.

Marriage, Family, and Public Duties

In 1863, Victoria arranged Edward's marriage to Princess Alexandra of Denmark. They had five children, including their second son, who became George V. Despite the union, Edward's royal roles remained limited.

He pioneered "goodwill" visits, starting with Canada in 1860, fostering ties across the British dominions and abroad. With Victoria in seclusion after Albert's death, Edward and Alexandra handled many court and public duties. Yet, other responsibilities were denied him, leading to idleness and scandals.

Edward was popular—affable, fashionable, and sporty. People loved his approachable style, a contrast to his constrained private life.

Released and Transformed: "He Giveth Goodly Words"

The turning point came with Victoria's death in 1901. The "hind" was "let loose." Now king at 59, Edward shed his frustrations. He dove into work, staying up nights to review state papers long denied him. His "goodly words"—kind, diplomatic speech—shone through.

As Prince of Wales and king, Edward excelled in diplomacy. He travelled Europe, mending ties and earning the nickname "Edward the Peacemaker." He healed the old rift between Britain and France, encouraged technical innovations, and navigated tensions with Germany.

His nephew, the German Kaiser, stirred trouble with aggressive "sabre rattling." Edward responded with patience—friendly gestures, no hasty words or blind actions. He was acutely aware of war's dangers, working to prevent European conflict despite personal strains.

Edward surprised critics as an able ruler, though ill health—bronchitis weakening his heart—limited him. He died in 1910.

A Loving Legacy and Prophetic Fulfillment

Unlike the strained Hanoverian line (Victoria's heritage, from the tribe of Asher), Edward cherished his children, and they him. On his death, George V wrote in his diary: "I have lost my best friend and the best of fathers." These "goodly words" echo the prophecy, revealing Edward's true character once freed.

History often remembers Edward for flirtations, but he was far more: a diplomat, innovator, and peacemaker. His life fulfills Naphtali's blessing perfectly—simple words hiding profound truth. It's humbling evidence of God's "marvellous work," shaming skeptics and fulfilling ancient promises. If we cling to fables instead, we miss this divine orchestration in Israel's story and our world.

Page 17.

Chapter 18: 

Joseph – The 11th Son, Linked to the 

House of Windsor (Ephraim) and the 

United States of America (Manasseh)

This chapter explores the biblical blessing given to Joseph in Genesis 49:22-26, connecting it to ancient history and modern times. Joseph's story isn't just a family tale – it's a sweeping prophecy that ties into the British monarchy (through Ephraim) and the United States (through Manasseh). We'll break it down verse by verse, linking it to key figures like King George V (crowned in 1911), King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth II. The House of Windsor represents the final chapter in this royal lineage of Israel's princes, starting from William the Conqueror in 1066. Think of it as a family tree with divine roots, where history and prophecy intertwine to reveal God's plan for the "House of Israel" – the descendants of the northern tribes scattered among the nations.

Joseph's blessing is a "collective" one, meaning it unfolds over centuries, covering his sons Ephraim and Manasseh, their roles in world events, and even Joseph's spiritual connection to God and Jesus. It's like a roadmap showing how these peoples grew fruitful, faced trials, and received divine strength. We'll use clear headings to unpack each verse, blending ancient roots with modern examples for easier understanding.

The Fruitful Bough: Genesis 49:22

"JOSEPH IS A FRUITFUL BOUGH, EVEN A FRUITFUL BOUGH BY A WELL; WHOSE BRANCHES RUN OVER THE WALL."

Ancient Roots

This verse paints Joseph as a thriving vine, productive and abundant. In ancient times, Joseph saved his family during famine in Egypt, preserving Israel's line. As the tribes scattered into "Egypt of the nations" (symbolising foreign lands), Joseph's influence – highlighted in Deuteronomy 33:13-17 – pushed his descendants (Ephraim and Manasseh) through Europe as Germanic peoples like Angles, Saxons, and Vikings. They clashed with earlier Celts in the British Isles but eventually merged, forming a strong foundation. The "well" represents the surrounding seas that protected and nourished the Isles, like a natural barrier. The "branches over the wall" symbolise explorers and emigrants who spread out, populating new lands while staying loyal to the British crown.

Modern Ties to the House of Windsor

Fast-forward to today: Joseph oversees all tribes, but Ephraim wears the crown . The House of Windsor, starting with King George V in 1910, embodies this. George V, son of Edward VII and Princess Alexandra of Denmark, united Anglo-Saxon and Danish lines – echoing ancient mergers foretold in Daniel 11:22-26 and the "Danelaw" invasion of 835 AD.

George V became king after his elder brother Albert Victor died young, fulfilling the "second child" prophecy in Genesis 48:16-20 – where the younger Ephraim is blessed over firstborn Manasseh. This pattern repeats: George V's second son became George VI after Edward VIII abdicated, and Elizabeth II, as a woman, fits the "second choice" role.

George V changed the royal name from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor in 1917, claiming Ephraim's unique blessing. As a "fruitful bough," he ruled a vast empire, married Princess Mary of Teck, and had six children. Their travels "over the wall" (seas) to places like Australia, Canada, and South Africa strengthened ties, inspiring global migration among Israel's descendants. George V was beloved, known as "George the Good" or the "Sailor Prince," and his death in 1936 brought widespread grief.

George VI, shy yet sincere, married Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and had two daughters. They won hearts with visits home and abroad, embodying fruitfulness even in war. He died in 1952, deeply mourned.

Elizabeth II, crowned in 1953, married Prince Philip (Duke of Edinburgh) and had four children. At 21, she pledged lifelong service, travelling worldwide and adapting to change. Prophets like Jeremiah 31:20 and Hosea (chapters 4-13) speak of Ephraim's "pleasant" royal children, planted in the "pleasant place" of the Isles, yet warn of the people's spiritual forgetfulness. Windsor is the last house – no more secular lineages fulfil Genesis 49. Israel's true King is coming .

The Archers' Grief: Genesis 49:23

"THE ARCHERS HAVE SORELY GRIEVED HIM, AND SHOT AT HIM, AND HATED HIM."

This verse shifts to conflict during Windsor's reign – "archers" as enemies launching attacks, causing deep sorrow. For male rulers ("him"), it predicts intense hatred and war.

George V faced World War I (1914-1918) against his cousin, the Kaiser – ironic, as both shared Germanic roots (Angles, Saxons, Hanoverians). Cousins fought cousins, bringing grief across Israel and Judah's houses.

George VI endured World War II (1939-1945), again against Germany under Hitler, who hated Israel. Judah suffered horrifically; both houses faced "grief, hatred, and death."

Elizabeth II saw smaller conflicts (Falklands, Ireland, Vietnam), but prophecy ties major wars to male rulers. If another male ascends with the right bloodline (second choice, like George V and VI), World War III looms. A woman or intact Ephraim line delays it. Adversaries, foretold in Daniel 11:32-40, strike from afar with intense loathing.

Note how women ended prior houses: Tudors (Mary I, Elizabeth I), Stuarts (Mary II, Anne), Hanover (Victoria), Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (via Victoria's dominance over Edward VII). Windsor ends with Elizabeth II.

Strength from God: Genesis 49:24

"BUT HIS BOW ABODE IN STRENGTH, AND THE ARMS OF HIS HANDS WERE MADE STRONG BY THE HANDS OF THE MIGHTY GOD OF JACOB"; (From thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel).

Turning the Tide in War

Despite attacks, Joseph's descendants prevail. Their "bow" (defence) holds strong through unity, prayer, and resilience – toughness of mind, will, and affection.

In WWI, George V, PM Lloyd George (Dan's line), and US President Wilson (Manasseh) showed tenacity. In WWII, George VI, Winston Churchill (Ephraim), and President Roosevelt (Manasseh) did the same. Commonwealth nations like Australia (Ephraim's mount) contributed under leaders like Billy Hughes (WWI) and Robert Menzies (WWII). Branches "over the wall" fought loyally.

The Two Arms: Ephraim and Manasseh

The "arms" symbolise power: Ephraim (British Empire) and Manasseh (USA) – the "two arms" of Israel's body, defending the whole . Israel blessed younger Ephraim with the right hand, making him greater – a multitude of nations (Commonwealth). Manasseh becomes a great people. These vows, from deathbed, echo through history.

Joseph's ancient vow with God . Churchill noted divine purpose in 1941.

The Shepherd and Stone of Israel

"From thence" points to Jesus Christ as the Shepherd ; ignoring the Old Testament misses the full picture.

Blessings from Above and Below: Genesis 49:25

"EVEN BY THE GOD OF THY FATHER, WHO SHALL HELP THEE; AND BY THE ALMIGHTY, WHO SHALL BLESS THEE WITH BLESSINGS OF HEAVEN ABOVE, BLESSINGS OF THE DEEP THAT LIETH UNDER, BLESSINGS OF THE BREASTS AND OF THE WOMB."

Dual patterns persist: God (El Shaddai) helps during wars, fulfilling promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In WWI and WWII, isolated Britain and struck USA united, protecting all Israel. Hymns like "Abide with Me" and "Jerusalem" reflect remembered faith.

"Heaven above" brings redemption through Jesus – greatest blessing. "Deep under" reveals hidden depths: Joseph's "coat of many colours" symbolises carrying diverse tribes; his Egyptian role foreshadows global influence. Varied descendants (blonde, red-haired) emerge from intermingling.

"Breasts and womb" mean abundant offspring, nurtured over time . Windsors fulfilled this: George V (6 children), George VI (2), Elizabeth II (4).

Prevailing Blessings: Genesis 49:26

"THE BLESSINGS OF THY FATHER HAVE PREVAILED ABOVE THE BLESSINGS OF MY PROGENITORS UNTO THE UTMOST BOUND OF THE EVERLASTING HILLS; THEY SHALL BE ON THE HEAD OF JOSEPH, AND ON THE CROWN OF THE HEAD OF HIM THAT WAS SEPARATE FROM HIS BRETHREN."

This recaps Joseph's supremacy: Israel's spiritual blessings surpass ancestors', unlimited and eternal. Joseph's "head" (mind, spirit) and "crown" (regal dignity) mark his separation – like Jesus. Anciently, he governed Egypt; his sons led as Joshua, northern kings, British sovereigns, and US presidents.

Joseph, prince of "Israel" (God rules), prevails . Truth floods lies.

Conclusion: A Call to Israel's Descendants

This ends the princely lineages from Reuben (William the Conqueror) to Ephraim (Windsor). We're at the "last days'" brink . Yet, as Hosea 6:4-7 warns, Ephraim and Judah's goodness fades; they've broken the covenant. Return to knowledge and mercy – the Stone awaits.

Page 18.

Chapter 19: 

The 12th Son – The Tribe of Benjamin 

in the House of Judah

This chapter explores the Tribe of Benjamin, often hidden within the broader story of Israel and Judah. We'll unpack its prophetic blessings, historical roles, and connections to figures like Paul, all while linking ancient events to modern times. Think of Benjamin as the clever, stealthy player in a grand biblical drama – a "wolf" that's both protector and predator. We'll break it down step by step to make the prophecies clearer and more relatable, without losing their rich meaning.

Benjamin's Prophetic Blessing: The Wolf's Nature

Benjamin's blessing from Jacob in Genesis 49:27 sets the tone: "BENJAMIN SHALL RAVIN AS A WOLF: IN THE MORNING HE SHALL DEVOUR THE PREY, AND AT NIGHT HE SHALL DIVIDE THE SPOIL."

This isn't just poetry – it's a blueprint for Benjamin's character through history. The tribe acts with stealth, cunning, and wisdom, often operating in secret. As Deuteronomy 33:12 notes, Benjamin is "covered" and protected by God, embedded within both the House of Israel and the House of Judah, ancient and modern.

To "ravin as a wolf" means prowling, plundering, and devouring fiercely. A wolf is swift, intelligent, crafty, and carnivorous. When applied to people, it suggests extreme cunning. Benjamin's role is complex: a fierce operator who strikes decisively, evaluates gains, and shares the spoils.

A Story of Ferocity: The Concubine Incident

Benjamin's wolf-like nature shines through in a brutal ancient tale from Judges 19-21. Here, men from Benjamin cruelly abuse a concubine, sparking a deadly civil war among Israel's tribes.

The Benjamites showed their cunning by selecting 700 left-handed slingers who could hit a hair's breadth without missing, plus 26,000 swordsmen. In the battles:

• Day 1: They killed 22,000 from other tribes.

• Day 2: Another 18,000 slain.

• Day 3: Benjamites killed more initially but were lured from their city, leading to their defeat – 25,100 Benjamites lost.

This event highlights Benjamin's ferocity and strategic smarts, even in defeat. It cost lives but showed the tribe's protected status, as others agonised over them.

Benjamin's Birth and Protected Role

Benjamin's life started in tragedy. Born to Rachel, who died in childbirth and named him Benoni ("son of my sorrow") in Genesis 35:18. Jacob renamed him Benjamin ("son of my right hand"), honouring Rachel and securing his place among the brothers.

As a young man, Benjamin was central to Joseph's story in Egypt. Joseph, his full brother, longed to see him. Reuben (firstborn) offered his sons as security for Benjamin's safety, but Jacob refused – partly due to Reuben's past, but also to fulfil prophetic patterns.

Simeon was held hostage by Joseph, setting up the duality: Reuben's offer for the House of Israel, Judah's for the House of Judah. This duality threads through Scripture, showing two prophetic lines.

Judah's Vow and Benjamin's Dual Role

Judah stepped up, vowing in Genesis 43:8-9: "I WILL BE SURETY FOR HIM; OF MY HAND SHALT THOU REQUIRE HIM: IF I BRING HIM NOT UNTO THEE, AND SET HIM BEFORE THEE, THEN LET ME BEAR THE BLAME FOR EVER."

Jacob accepted, binding Benjamin to Judah historically.

This "second return" from Egypt echoes prophecy: Joyous news will come again to Judah in modern times, as tribes emerge from "Egypt of the nations."

Benjamin splits into two prophetic roles:

1. With Judah (the Jew): Under the law of the flesh.

2. With Joseph (House of Israel): In spirit, carried by Paul to the Gentiles.

Paul: Benjamin's Heir and the Wolf in Action

Fast-forward to the New Testament: Saul/Paul, a Benjamite, embodies the wolf. Prophecy in Genesis 45:22 foreshadows this: Joseph gave brothers changes of raiment, but Benjamin got 300 silver pieces and five.

Paul, as heir, receives honour among Gentiles, guiding with powerful words. His dual role mirrors ancient patterns through Joseph and Jesus.

Paul's Five Changes of Raiment

These "garments" symbolise Paul's transformations:

1. Born Saul, Jew and Benjamite; an Israelite/Hebrew.

2. Roman citizen, free-born.

3. Strict Pharisee, persecutor of Christians; spoke Greek.

4. Converted, baptised by Ananias.

5. Chosen vessel to Gentiles and Israel, renamed Paul.

Paul's flesh is Jewish; his spirit Christian – prophesies his martyrdom.

Paul used these identities cunningly: Teaching about the "Unknown God" in Athens .

Early on, he was a marauding wolf, persecuting Christians – devouring in the morning, dividing spoils at night. His past haunted him, driving relentless ministry.

The 300 Pieces of Silver: Paul's Journeys and Redemption

The silver funds Paul's three journeys into Europe (possibly Spain or British Isles), seeking "lost sheep" of Israel among Gentiles. He embraced Jew and Gentile seeking better lives.

This ties to redeeming the "dishonoured bride of Israel" – the "virgin of Israel" (scattered Houses), including "daughter of Zion" and "daughter of Jerusalem." They bear "tokens of virginity" , contrite after cruelty.

Per Deuteronomy 22:13-19, a husband slandering his wife pays 100 shekels. Paul, as "husband" who persecuted, pays 300 (100 per journey) to vindicate her.

Quotes from the law:

• Verse 13: "IF ANY MAN TAKE A WIFE, AND GO IN UNTO HER AND HATE HER."

• Verse 14: "AND GIVE OCCASIONS OF SPEECH AGAINST HER... I FOUND HER NOT A MAID."

• And so on, up to Verse 19: Penalty of 100 shekels, she remains his wife forever.

This allegory fits Paul: He persecuted the "virgin" Christians. Jesus confronted him: "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks."

Paul's journeys chastise him: First for unbelief, second for "daughter of Jerusalem" (Judah), third for "daughter of Zion" (Israel). He details sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11:22-31.

His "thorn in the flesh" – conscience from past evils – drives him thrice to seek relief, paying the price.

Paul admits craftiness. Like biblical giants (David, Moses), his life shows internal wars.

Ultimately, Israel's husband is "The Holy One”.

Garments in Scripture often symbolise deeper vows or changes (e.g., Joseph's coat, Elijah's mantle, Christ's divided clothes).

Benjamin in Modern Times: The Wolf Awakens

In the 20th century's "last days," Benjamin's wolf emerges in Israel against foes like Ishmael and Esau's descendants.

Post-World Wars I and II, Jews (spurred by Holocaust horrors) fought for homeland. Israel established 1948 as a Jewish Democratic Republic in former Palestine.

Wars followed:

• 1948-49: Against Arab neighbours; gained land.

• 1956: Suez Crisis.

• 1967: Six-Day War – lightning strikes downed enemies; combined Benjamin's cunning, Judah's grip.

• 1973: Yom Kippur War.

• Ongoing skirmishes with PLO, Lebanon invasions.

The 1967 war exemplifies the wolf: Swift, cunning, David vs. Goliath victory.

The Triangle of Zeal

In modern Israel (House of Judah), a "triangle" form:

1. Benjamin's wolfish ferocity.

2. Judah's hand on enemies' necks.

3. Levi's cruel wrath.

United, they're unbreakable – no defeat in their makeup. Israel's flag (Star of David: two triangles) points to this, echoing Jacob's .

Judah must stay vigilant amid global turmoil.

Wrapping Up: Lineages and the Path Ahead

Each tribe fulfils its prophetic waymarks. Joseph's power preserves Israel.

Judah returns home after wandering. Soon, a new kingdom arises, the King appearing first to the House of Israel – the "Shepherd, the stone of Israel”.

To solidify these lineages as fact, we turn to Daniel's prophecies, unveiling world history for Israel's houses – a door to imagination, truth, and human potential beyond myths and materialism. 

Page 19.

Chapter 20: 

Secular History Involving the Twelve Tribes of Israel

and Biblical History of Israel's Carcase. 

Ten Toes of Clay explained in Secular History - 

seen by Daniel Ch2: Vrs 41 to 43.

This chapter explores how secular history intertwines with biblical prophecy, focusing on the twelve tribes of Israel. It draws from the Book of Daniel, interpreting historical events as fulfilments of prophetic visions. We'll break it down step by step to make the complex narrative easier to follow, while keeping the depth intact. Think of it as a timeline where ancient prophecies meet real-world kings, wars, and empires—showing how history echoes the Bible's foretelling’s.

We'll start with an overview of the "ten toes of clay" from Daniel Chapter 2, verses 41 to 43, which symbolises a divided kingdom mixing strength and fragility. Then, we'll dive into Daniel Chapter 11, mapping each verse to key historical figures and events. This isn't just a list; it's a bridge between prophecy and history, clarifying how Israel's "carcase" (its scattered remnants) plays out across centuries.

The Ten Toes of Clay: A Prophetic Symbol in History

In Daniel 2:41-43, the prophet sees a statue with feet of iron mixed with clay, ending in ten toes. This represents the final stage of worldly empires—strong yet brittle, divided like iron that won't fully blend with clay. Historically, this ties to the twelve tribes of Israel (often symbolised in prophecy) scattering and influencing global powers. The "ten toes" here point to Britain's role, as a key player in the Israelite diaspora, blending Roman heritage with later divisions. This sets the stage for the detailed history in Daniel 11, where empires rise and fall, impacting Israel's legacy.

Daniel Chapter 11: Verse-by-Verse Historical Mapping

Daniel 11 unfolds a vision of kings and conflicts, starting from Persian times and stretching into modern eras. Each verse links to real historical events, showing a north-south power struggle that evolves over time. The "king of the north" often represents powers like Syria or later Russia, while the "king of the south" aligns with Egypt or southern alliances. This prophecy traces the path of Israel's tribes through conquests, invasions, and wars—making sense of how biblical predictions align with secular records. We'll go verse by verse, with concise explanations to highlight the key connections.

Verse 2: The Kings of Persia (521-323 BC)

This verse predicts three kings in Persia, followed by a fourth richer than all. Historically:

• Darius I (Hystaspes)

• Xerxes I

• Artaxerxes I (Longimanus)

• The richest: Darius III (Codomannus)

These rulers built Persia's might, setting up clashes with Greece that affected Israel's exiled tribes.

Verse 3: Alexander the Great (336-323 BC)

A mighty king arises and rules with great dominion. This fits Alexander the Great, whose conquests shattered Persian power and spread Greek influence across the ancient world, scattering Israelite communities further.

Verse 4: Division of Alexander's Empire (323-30 BC)

His kingdom breaks into four parts, like winds scattering. The divisions:

• South: Ptolemy in Egypt

• West: Antigonus Monophthalmus

• North: Seleucus in Syria and Babylon

• East: Euthydemus in Bactria-India

This fragmentation created ongoing rivalries, with Israel's lands caught in the middle.

Verse 5: Ptolemy III Euergetes of Egypt (246-221 BC)

The king of the south grows strong. Ptolemy III (from the southern wind) expands Egypt's power, clashing with northern kingdoms and influencing Judean affairs.

Verse 6: Ptolemy VI Philometor and Cleopatra (180-145 BC)

Alliances form but fail. This involves Ptolemy VI Philometor and Cleopatras II and III (Thea), whose marriages and betrayals highlight the unstable pacts between north and south.

Verse 7: Ptolemy IX Soter II and Cleopatra III (116-108 BC, extending to 109-80 BC)

A branch from her roots stands up. Ptolemy IX (Lathyrus) and Cleopatra III continue the Egyptian dynasty's internal strife, tying into broader regional conflicts.

Verse 8: Wars Involving Ptolemy IX (107-64 BC)

Capturing treasures in war. Ptolemy IX battles Cleopatra III, Alexander Jannaeus (King of the Jews), and the Seleucid dynasty (northern wind), blending Egyptian, Jewish, and Syrian histories.

Verse 9: Ptolemy IX Returns as King (107-81 BC)

The southern king enters the north but returns home. Ptolemy IX (Lathyrus) regains Egypt's throne amid ongoing turmoil.

Verse 10: Hasmonean Sons and Roman Involvement (166-37 BC)

Sons stir up strife and assemble multitudes. The Hasmonean (House of Judah) Maccabees' sons face Pompey of Rome in Palestine's civil wars between Aristobulus and Hyrcanus, marking Rome's entry into Jewish lands.

Verse 11: Egypt and Judea Under Antony and Cleopatra (44-30 BC)

The southern king rages against the north. Egypt and Judea align under Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII, leading to dramatic power struggles.

Verse 12: Herod the Great and Roman Rebellions (44-30 BC)

Multitudes are carried away, but pride leads to fall. Herod the Great, with Roman armies, quells Antigonus II's Hasmonean rebellion, while Octavian influences Judea.

Verse 13: Rome Under Octavian (Around 37 BC)

The northern king returns with greater forces. Rome, led by Octavian Augustus, confronts Mark Antony and Cleopatra, consolidating power.

Verse 14: Rome Asserts Over Egypt (37 BC to 4 BC)

Robbers exalt themselves. Rome ends its Republic, birthing Imperial Rome. Herod rules Judea, and Jesus of Nazareth is born amid this shift.

Verse 15: Greco-Roman World Under Emperors (54-70 AD)

The northern king takes fortified cities. From Nero to Vespasian and Titus, the Roman Empire dominates, culminating in Jerusalem's destruction.

Verse 16: Emperor Hadrian and Jewish Revolt (132-135 AD)

He does according to his will. Hadrian crushes the Bar Kokhba revolt, with Julius Severus leading Roman forces against Jewish resistance.

Verse 17: From Roman Britain to Jerusalem's Closure (54-68 AD)

He enters peaceably but with upright ones. Jerusalem closes to Jews, while Britain (ten-toed symbol) opens under Rome, including Queen Boadicea's era.

Verse 18: Early British History Under Romans (45-54 AD)

(Note: This verse appears out of sequence historically.) A prince turns his reproach. Claudius I conquers Britain, capturing King Caractacus (Welsh Prince Caradoc), marking Roman expansion into the Isles.

Verse 19: Agricola Subdues Britain (51-93 AD?)

He turns to his fortresses but stumbles. Under Emperor Domitian, Agricola conquers Britain, strengthening Roman hold.

Verse 20: Emperor Diocletian as Tax Raiser (284-305 AD)

A raiser of taxes in glory. Diocletian's reforms burden the empire, affecting scattered Israelite tribes.

Verse 21: Constantine the Great (306-337 AD)

A vile person obtains the kingdom by flatteries. Constantine rises, shifting Rome towards Christianity but with controversial methods.

Verse 22: Invasions of Britain and Rome (410 AD)

Arms overflow before him. Saxons, Picts, and Scots invade Roman Britain; Vandals and Visigoths hit Rome, fragmenting the empire.

Verse 23: Papal Entry into the Isles (596 AD)

League with a small people. Pope Gregory sends Augustine (saint) to convert Saxons in the British Isles.

Verse 24: Establishing Papacy in the Isles (596-956 AD)

He enters peaceably into fat places. Augustine, Paulinus, and others plant Roman Papacy in Britain.

Verse 25: Viking Invasions and King Alfred (871-899 AD)

He stirs up power against the south. Vikings invade; Alfred the Great of West Saxons defends England.

Verse 26: Alfred's Heirs Against Vikings (899-939 AD)

Those who feed him are destroyed. Alfred's son Edward and daughter Aethelflaed battle Vikings.

Verse 27: William the Conqueror (1066 AD)

Both kings' hearts to do mischief. William, Duke of Normandy, becomes King of England from France.

Verse 28: Richard the Lionheart (1189-1199 AD)

He returns with riches, heart against the holy covenant. Richard I rules England and France, impacting crusades.

Verse 29: Henry VII Tudor and France (1457-1509 AD)

He comes but not as before. Henry VII's dealings with France mark Tudor shifts.

Verse 30: Greco-Turkish War and British Intervention (1821-1827 AD)

Ships of Chittim come against him. Greece and Turkey war; Britain intervenes in 1827.

Verse 31: Papacy and England on Infallibility (1869 AD)

Arms stand on his part, polluting the sanctuary. Papal infallibility strains ties with England.

Verse 32: Kaiser Wilhelm and World War I (1914 AD)

He corrupts with flatteries. Kaiser William of Germany sparks World War I.

Verse 33: World War I Mobilisation (1914-1918 AD)

People who know God stand firm. Germany's Kaiser drives the war's full mobilisation.

Verse 34: World War I Aftermath (1914-1921 AD)

Many join by flatteries. The war's end brings insincere alliances.

Verse 35: Transition to World War II (1918-1939 AD)

Some fall to try them. Post-WWI era looks to WWII, marking end times.

Verse 36: Adolf Hitler and World War II (1939-1945 AD)

The king does according to his will. Hitler's indignation fuels WWII.

Verse 37: Hitler's Self-Magnification

He regards not the God of fathers, nor desire of women. Hitler exalts himself, scorning traditions.

Verse 38: Hitler's Forces and Treasures

He honours a god of forces. WWII sees Hitler amass armies and wealth.

Verse 39: Hitler's Strange God

He divides land for gain. Hitler acknowledges a foreign power in conquests.

Verse 40: North and South in WWII

Kings push at him. Hitler battles northern and southern fronts.

Verse 41: Russia in the Middle East

He enters glorious land. Russia eyes Middle East in conventional war.

Verse 42: Russia and Egypt

He stretches his hand. Conventional war between Russia and Egypt.

Verse 43: Russia Controls Allies

He rules treasures. Russia dominates Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia.

Verse 44: Russia and Nuclear Threats

Tidings trouble him. Russia escalates to nuclear war.

Verse 45: Russia's Final Push and Destruction

He plants tabernacles. Russia targets British Isles, USA, and Middle East, leading to its downfall.

This mapping shows prophecy as a living thread through history, from ancient empires to modern conflicts. It preserves the idea of Israel's tribes influencing global events, offering a fresh lens on the past while staying true to the biblical vision.

Page 20.

Chapter 21: 

Daniel Chapter 11- 

Exploring Verse 1

Welcome to our journey through Daniel Chapter 11, starting with Verse 1. This prophetic book in the Bible peers into the future, blending history and divine visions that stretch from ancient times right up to our modern era and beyond. Daniel's words are incredibly precise, reminding us of Jesus' teaching that every tiny detail in Scripture matters . As we unpack this verse, we'll see God's grand plan unfold like a beautiful flower, revealing His glory through real historical events. Get ready for some eye-opening insights as we follow Daniel, a true prophet or 'seer', on this fascinating adventure.

The Verse in Focus

Verse 1: "ALSO I IN THE FIRST YEAR OF DARIUS THE MEDE, EVEN I, STOOD TO CONFIRM AND TO STRENGTHEN HIM."

This sets the scene for Daniel's visions, spoken during the rule of Darius the Mede. It's a pivotal moment where Daniel supports this king, linking personal history with sweeping prophecies.

Who Was Daniel?

Daniel, also known as Belteshazzar in Babylon (meaning 'May Bel protect his life'), had a Hebrew name meaning 'God is my judge'. Born around 621 BC during King Josiah's reforms in Judah, he was captured as a young man by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 BC, during the third year of King Jehoiakim's reign .

Over his long life, Daniel served under multiple rulers. Key milestones include:

• In 552 BC, King Nabonidus of Babylon retired, and his grandson Belshazzar took the throne .

• In 550 BC, Cyrus II of Persia united the Median and Persian states.

• In 539 BC, Cyrus II's general, Darius (possibly known as Gobryas in historical records), captured Babylon from Belshazzar and was appointed king by Cyrus .

• In 536 BC, during Cyrus's third year, Daniel received his extensive visions of world history .

Daniel lived to about his mid-80s, passing away around 535 BC.

Who Was Darius the Mede?

Darius the Mede, aged 62 when he seized Babylon for Cyrus II , has sparked much debate among scholars. Historical records paint a vivid picture of shifting powers in the region, involving Assyria, Chaldea, Persia, Elam, and Media.

Origins of the Median and Persian Kingdoms

• The Median Kingdom emerged in the 7th and 8th centuries BC, largely from Aryan peoples, though opinions vary.

• Persia had dual royal lines: one from Ariaramnes (late 7th century BC) and the Achaemenid line from Hakhamanish, giving Persian rulers the title 'Achaemenids'. Some trace them to Aryan settlers in Parsumash (in Persia).

• Both lines descended from Teispes, King of Anshan (678-639 BC). His sons ruled Parsa (640-615 BC) and Elam/Parsumah (from 639 BC). The latter line led to Cyrus I, then Cambyses I, and finally Cyrus II 'the Great'.

Anshan (in modern southwestern Iran) often raided Babylonian cities. By 675 BC, Elam fell under Achaemenid Persian control, with rulers titled 'Kings of Anshan' up to Darius I (522 BC).

Key Historical Shifts

• Under Cyaxares II (625-585 BC), the Medes broke free from Scythian rule (653-625 BC) and expanded:

  • Captured Ashur (Assyria) in 614 BC.

  • Sacked Nineveh in 612 BC.

  • Conquered Mannai in Iran and Urartu in Armenia.

  • Defeated Assyria in Mesopotamia (612-609 BC), dividing lands with Babylon (Media took Assyria, northern Mesopotamia, and Harran).

• A five-year war with Lydia in Asia Minor (590-585 BC) ended with the Halys River as Media's border.

• In 550 BC, Nabonidus of Babylon and Cyrus II (vassal king of Persia) allied against Median king Astyages (Cyrus's maternal grandfather), overthrowing him. This marked Persia's rise.

Cyrus II merged Media and Persia, appointing both Medes and Persians to key roles—explaining Darius the Mede's position.

Darius in Scripture

In Daniel 9:1, Darius is called 'the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans'. 'Ahasuerus' is a Persian title like 'majesty', suggesting royal Median (and possibly Persian) blood through his mother. Cyrus II remained the supreme ruler.

This era shows Media as the lesser power in the Medo-Persian alliance, like the shorter horn in Daniel's vision . Cyrus plundered Media's capital Ecbatana and built Pasargadae in Persia.

Darius issued a decree honouring Daniel's God after the lion's den miracle :

Verse 25: "THEN KING DARIUS WROTE UNTO ALL PEOPLE, NATIONS, AND LANGUAGES, THAT DWELL IN ALL THE EARTH; PEACE BE MULTIPLIED UNTO YOU."

Verse 26: "I MAKE A DECREE, THAT IN EVERY DOMINION OF MY KINGDOM MEN TREMBLE AND FEAR BEFORE THE GOD OF DANIEL: FOR HE IS THE LIVING GOD, AND STEADFAST FOR EVER, AND HIS KINGDOM THAT WHICH SHALL NOT BE DESTROYED, AND HIS DOMINION SHALL BE EVEN UNTO THE END."

Verse 27: "HE DELIVERETH AND RESCUETH, AND HE WORKETH SIGNS AND WONDERS IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH, WHO HATH DELIVERED DANIEL FROM THE POWER OF THE LIONS."

Verse 28: "SO THIS DANIEL PROSPERED IN THE REIGN OF DARIUS, AND IN THE REIGN OF CYRUS THE PERSIAN."

Daniel likely died around 535 BC, during the reigns of Darius and Cyrus II, who ruled another six years.

Daniel's Role: Confirming and Strengthening Darius

The verse ends with Daniel standing 'to confirm and to strengthen' Darius. 'Confirm' means to ratify, establish certainty, and dispel doubts—perhaps reassuring Darius of his role and Persia's future. 'Strengthen' means to boost power and intensity, easing any inner fears the new king might have held.

As a prophet in Babylon's courts, Daniel used his insights to guide rulers, bridging human history with God's prophetic plan.

A Note on Persian Terms

To clarify confusing names: 'Parsa' was an ancient Persian city (Greeks called it Persis). 'Parsua', 'Parsuash', or 'Parsumash' referred to Iranian tribes (Persians). The Pasargadae tribe, noted by Herodotus, included the Achaemenians—the royal family. Cyrus II rallied them to revolt against Astyages around 550 BC, sparking Persia's dominance.

This blend of history and prophecy shows how God's word weaves through real events, offering timeless lessons for us today.

Page 21.

Chapter 22: 

Unravelling Daniel Chapter 11: 

Verse 2 – The Four Kings of Persia

Welcome to this exploration of Daniel 11:2. We're diving into a fascinating blend of prophecy and history, where ancient kings and empires come alive. This verse kicks off a detailed roadmap of events, blending biblical truths with real-world happenings from around 521 to 331 BC. I'll break it down step by step, using clear headings, straightforward language, and engaging insights to make it easier to follow—without skimping on the original depth. Think of it as a guided tour through a prophetic timeline, highlighting how God's plans unfold amid human drama.

The Promise of Truth: Setting the Stage

Daniel's vision in chapter 11 starts with a bold declaration: "AND NOW WILL I SHOW 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" .

Here, "truth" isn't just a word—it's a guarantee of accuracy, like a verified fact free from spin or guesswork. Unlike some modern interpretations that twist dates or kings to fit pet theories, Daniel's words stick to verifiable history. This chapter maps out a "bloody road" of milestones, tying secular events to God's protection of His people, Israel. It's linked to Daniel 10:1, where Daniel grapples with these visions.

"Behold" calls us to pay close attention, like fixing your gaze on something crucial. And "stand up"? It means these kings rise prominently in history, visible and unforgettable, much like Alexander the Great in later verses. They're not random rulers; they're chosen for their role in defending a key decree—to rebuild Jerusalem's temple and safeguard the "holy seed" from Israel's tribes.

Why These Kings? The Decree and God's Protection

The focus isn't on every Persian king, but those who "stand out" as protectors of God's people. This stems from a decree by Cyrus II (the Great), allowing Jews to return from exile and rebuild. It's echoed in prophecies like Isaiah 44:28 and Isaiah 45:1-4, where Cyrus is called God's "shepherd" and "anointed" to subdue nations, open gates, and fulfil divine plans—even though he didn't fully know God.

"THAT SAITH OF CYRUS, HE IS MY SHEPHERD, AND SHALL PERFORM ALL MY PLEASURE: EVEN SAYING TO JERUSALEM, THOU SHALT BE BUILT; AND TO THE TEMPLE, THY FOUNDATION SHALL BE LAID."

"THUS SAITH THE LORD TO HIS ANOINTED, TO CYRUS, WHOSE RIGHT HAND I HAVE HOLDEN, TO SUBDUE NATIONS BEFORE HIM; AND I WILL LOOSE THE LOINS OF KINGS, TO OPEN BEFORE HIM THE TWO LEAVED GATES; AND THE GATES SHALL NOT BE SHUT."

God smoothed Cyrus's path, breaking barriers and revealing "treasures of darkness" . Cyrus acknowledged this in 2 Chronicles 36:23, crediting the "Lord God of heaven" for his kingdoms and task to build in Jerusalem.

Yet, a clay cylinder from Babylon shows Cyrus thanking local gods like Marduk too—highlighting his dual worldview: one foot in prophecy's "secret places," the other in ignorance's "darkness." This decree, unbreakable under Median-Persian law, protected the "holy seed" (from Judah and Israel) scattered across empires.

The three kings "stand up" in Ezra 4:5-7 for upholding it: Darius I (Hystaspes), Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), and Artaxerxes I (Longimanus). They're not Cyrus's immediate successors like Cambyses II or Smerdis—those don't fit Daniel's prophetic focus on Israel's fate.

The First King: Darius I (Hystaspes, 521-486 BC)

Darius I, from Persia's second lineage (after Cyrus's line ended), claimed the throne amid revolts. He ruled 36 years, earning the title "the Great" for respecting religions and building grandly. He upheld Cyrus's decree, restarting temple work in his second year.

His failed invasions of Greece (e.g., Marathon in 490 BC) set the stage for future conflicts. Questions linger about his rise—did he orchestrate rivals' deaths? Still, he's etched in history for protecting Judah.

The Second King: Ahasuerus (Xerxes I, 486-464 BC)

Son of Darius I and Atossa (Cyrus's daughter), Xerxes inherited vast resources through taxation and building. His opulent palace in Shushan is vividly described in Esther 1:1-7:

"NOW IT CAME TO PASS IN THE DAYS OF AHASUERAS, (THIS IS AHASUERAS WHICH REIGNED, FROM INDIA EVEN UNTO ETHIOPIA, OVER AN HUNDRED AND SEVEN AND TWENTY PROVINCES): THAT IN THOSE DAYS, WHEN THE KING AHASUERAS SAT ON THE THRONE OF HIS KINGDOM, WHICH WAS IN SHUSHAN THE PALACE..."

He faced accusations against Jews, but the decree held. Scholars often misidentify him as Cambyses II, ignoring the timeline and focus on Judah's protection. Xerxes invaded Greece (481-480 BC), winning initially but losing at Salamis. Assassinated in 465 BC, his reign was marked by luxury and court intrigue.

Clearing the Controversy: Why Not Cambyses?

Some scholars peg Ahasuerus as Cambyses II (529-522 BC), Cyrus's son, for sequential reasons. But Cambyses fought for the throne amid chaos, ignoring the decree. He ruled briefly (6-8 years), focused on Egypt, not Judah. Ezra's summary highlights ongoing frustrations under key rulers upholding the decree—not ineffective ones. Daniel's prophecy prioritises impact on Israel, not mere succession.

The Third King: Artaxerxes I (Longimanus, 464-424 BC)

Xerxes's son, nicknamed "Longhand," ruled 40 years amid revolts. He initially halted temple work .

Walls were repaired in 52 days, fulfilling the decree over a century after Cyrus.

The Fourth King: Darius III (Codomannus, 336-331 BC) – Riches and Ruin

Now, the climax: the fourth king, "far richer than they all," who stirs up "all against the realm of Grecia." This is Darius III, not Xerxes (as some claim—that ignores timelines). After intrigue (eunuch Bagoas installed him), he inherited Persia's peak wealth from cities like Persepolis and Susa.

Intervening kings (Darius II, Artaxerxes II/III, Arses) saw ongoing Greek wars, but Darius III faced Alexander the Great. He "stirred up all" with his empire's might, losing at rivers like Granicus (334 BC), Issus (333 BC), and Gaugamela (331 BC) near the Tigris.

This ties to Daniel 8:2-7, the ram (Persia) vs. goat (Greece):

"THEN I LIFTED UP MINE EYES, AND SAW, AND, BEHOLD, THERE STOOD BEFORE THE RIVER A RAM WHICH HAD TWO HORNS: AND THE TWO HORNS WERE HIGH; BUT ONE WAS HIGHER THAN THE OTHER, AND THE HIGHER CAME UP LAST."

Alexander seized treasures: 50,000 gold talents at Susa, more at Persepolis (needing 20,000 mules). Darius fled, was killed by a satrap, ending Persia's empire and fulfilling Genesis 9:27—Japheth (Greece) entering Shem's (Persia's) tents.

Summary: The Four Who Stood Up

1. Darius I (521-486 BC): Approved Cyrus's decree.

2. Ahasuerus/Xerxes (486-464 BC): Overcame accusations; sealed decree.

3. Artaxerxes I (464-424 BC): Ceased then sealed decree.

4. Darius III (336-331 BC): Fulfilled vision; lost all to Greece.

This verse isn't just history—it's prophecy proving God's sovereign plan for His people. Dive deeper into the links for more!

Page 22.

Chapter 23: 

Alexander 'The Great' - 

The Mighty King of Daniel's Prophecy 

In this chapter, we dive into the fascinating figure of Alexander the Great, as described in Daniel 11:3. This verse paints a vivid picture of a powerful ruler who shapes history. We'll blend biblical prophecy with historical facts, making sense of the symbols and events in a way that's easier to follow. By breaking it down step by step, we'll see how Alexander fits into God's larger plan, connecting prophecies from Daniel and other books of the Bible. Let's unpack this intriguing story.

The Prophecy of the Mighty King

Daniel 11:3 declares: "AND A MIGHTY KING SHALL STAND UP, THAT SHALL RULE WITH GREAT DOMINION, AND DO ACCORDING TO HIS WILL." Here, "mighty" isn't just about physical strength—it's an honour given to a leader who's intellectually sharp and unstoppable. "Stand up" means rising prominently, ready to defend and endure. This king rules with absolute authority, his will shaping vast territories.

This prophecy points directly to Alexander the Great. At just 20 years old, he inherited the throne after his father, Philip of Macedon, was assassinated. Alexander quickly united Greece's fractious states and cities, building on Philip's foundation of unification and expansion. He embodied the Greek ideal: heroic in build, brave in battle, and enduring in all pursuits. Seeing himself as a new Achilles, he charged ahead with god-like decisiveness, believing his unmatched character could conquer anything.

Alexander's willpower was ironclad—a fixed determination to Hellenise the world, spreading Greek culture in language, thought, and action. In his first year, he expanded north to the Danube River, west to the Adriatic Sea, and crushed rebellions in Athens and Thebes. With Greece secure, he launched Philip's planned invasion of Persia in 334 BC, uniting the Greeks against their ancient foe.

The Goat and the Ram: Alexander's Conquest of Persia

To fully grasp Alexander's role, we link back to Daniel 8:7: "AND I SAW HIM COME CLOSE UNTO THE RAM, AND HE WAS MOVED WITH CHOLER AGAINST HIM, AND SMOTE THE RAM, AND BRAKE HIS TWO HORNS: AND THERE WAS NO POWER IN THE RAM TO STAND BEFORE HIM, BUT HE CAST HIM DOWN TO THE GROUND, AND STAMPED UPON HIM: AND THERE WAS NONE THAT COULD DELIVER THE RAM OUT OF HIS HAND."

In this vision, the "ram with two horns" represents the kings of Media and Persia . The goat isn't a typical two-horned animal; its single horn emphasises Alexander's singular rule over a forged Greek realm.

Alexander advanced from Greece, clashing with Darius III of Persia in fierce battles. "Moved with choler" suggests deep anger—perhaps fuelled by suspicions that Darius orchestrated Philip's death. Starting with 30,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry, Alexander outmanoeuvred Persian forces, unfamiliar with their scythed chariots, elephants, and nomad cavalry. Darius's cruelty alienated his own troops, leading to his downfall. Alexander captured key cities: Susa (Shushan) in 331 BC and Ecbatana in 330 BC.

No Persian leader could replace Darius effectively; the empire's cumbersome government, weakened by internal purges like those by the eunuch Bagoas, crumbled. Alexander's empire stretched from Macedonia through Asia Minor, Persia, Egypt, Palestine, Iran, Central Asia, to the Indus River in India—conquered in 11 years.

The Four Beasts: Empires in Prophetic Symbols

Daniel's visions extend beyond Alexander, using animal symbols in Daniel 7 to represent successive empires. These beasts emerge from the "great sea" , symbolising turbulent humanity—restless like ocean waves, as in Isaiah 57:20 and Jeremiah 50:42. The four winds of heaven strive against this sea, showing spiritual forces wrestling with human wilfulness.

These beasts build on each other, incorporating previous empires, culminating in the composite beast of Revelation 13:1-2.

The First Beast: The Lion (Assyria/Babylon)

Daniel 7:4: "THE FIRST WAS LIKE A LION, AND HAD EAGLE'S WINGS: I BEHELD TILL THE WINGS THEREOF WERE PLUCKED, AND IT WAS LIFTED UP FROM THE EARTH, AND MADE STAND UPON THE FEET AS A MAN, AND A MAN'S HEART WAS GIVEN TO IT."

This lion represents Assyria and Babylon—twin powers from Mesopotamia/Chaldea that invaded Israel . The eagle's wings symbolise carrying Israel away into captivity.

In Ezekiel 17, two eagles represent this: the first (Assyria) takes the House of Israel (10 tribes) from Samaria far away; the second (Babylon) deals with Judah .

Archaeology confirms this hybrid creature in ancient artifacts, like plaques from Israel showing the god Bel.

The Second Beast: The Bear (Medo-Persia)

Daniel 7:5: "AND BEHOLD ANOTHER BEAST, A SECOND, LIKE TO A BEAR, AND IT RAISED UP ITSELF ON ONE SIDE, AND IT HAD THREE RIBS IN THE MOUTH OF IT BETWEEN THE TEETH OF IT: AND THEY SAID THUS UNTO IT, ARISE, DEVOUR MUCH FLESH."

The bear is Medo-Persia, with Persia dominant (raised on one side). Cumbersome yet ferocious, it mirrors Persia's vast, slow-moving empire under Darius III, burdened by court and army.

The three ribs are conquered remnants: Assyria, Babylon, and Israel—devoured and incorporated. Not just Media, Persia, and Babylon as some suggest; the bear itself is Medo-Persia, so the ribs are prior victims.

Commanded to "devour much flesh," it expanded into Anatolia, Greece, Egypt, Arabia, India, and beyond under rulers like Darius I.

The Third Beast: The Leopard (Greece/Alexander)

Daniel 7:6: "AFTER THIS I BEHELD, AND LO ANOTHER, LIKE A LEOPARD, WHICH HAD UPON THE BACK OF IT FOUR WINGS OF A FOWL; THE BEAST HAD ALSO FOUR HEADS; AND DOMINION WAS GIVEN TO IT."

The leopard captures Alexander's swift, cunning conquests—watching cities like a predator . He stalked Darius relentlessly, seizing the Persian heart.

The four fowl's wings represent his close generals—Ptolemy (Egypt), Antigonus (Western Anatolia), Perdiccas (Asia), Lysimachus (Thrace)—who lived off his success and divided the kingdom at his death in 323 BC (1 Maccabees 1:5-6 in the Apocrypha).

The four heads are the eventual dominions: Ptolemaic Egypt, Seleucid Syria/Mesopotamia, Antigonid Macedonia, and Greek India. These "stood up" from Greece but not in Alexander's unified power . Power struggles eliminated his heirs, leaving "others beside those."

The Fourth Beast: A Glimpse of Rome

Daniel 7:7-8 describes a dreadful beast with iron teeth and 10 horns—Rome, spreading global influence. Its full story deserves its own exploration, but it absorbs elements from prior empires.

Israel's Fate in the Riddle of the Eagles and Cedar

Tying back to Israel, Ezekiel 17:22-24 uses the cedar tree (all Israel) and eagles. God crops a "tender one" (Jesus) from the high branch, planting it on Mount Hermon—overlooking Galilee, Jesus' upbringing. This tree bears fruit (Christians), sheltering all nations.

God brings down the high tree (scattered Israel), exalts the low (through Jesus), dries the green (lost House of Israel), and makes the dry flourish (restored as nations like Britain, unknowingly Israelite descendants). In time, identities will reveal, as in Psalm 87:5-6.

Wrapping Up: Prophecy Meets History

These visions, though complex, reveal God's plan . Alexander's rise and fall fulfil Daniel's words, linking empires and Israel's story. Stay engaged—deeper truths unfold with careful study. Next, we'll explore how these dominions clash with Judah in later prophecies. 

Page 23.

Chapter 24: 

Daniel Chapter 11, Verse 4: 

The Four Winds and the Division

of Alexander's Empire

This chapter explores the prophecy in Daniel 11:4, linking it to the historical breakup of Alexander the Great's vast empire. We'll break it down step by step, blending biblical prophecy with real-world history to make it easier to follow. Think of it as a dramatic story of power grabs, betrayals, and shifting kingdoms after a legendary conqueror's death. We'll keep the depth but use clearer language, headings, and explanations to guide you through the twists and turns. 

The Core Prophecy: Daniel 11:4 Explained

The verse from the King James Version (KJV) reads exactly as follows:

"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."

This prophecy refers to Alexander the Great ("he"), whose empire stretched from Greece to India. At its peak ("when he shall stand up"), it shattered after his death in 323 BC. The key ideas:

• Broken and Divided: The empire didn't stay whole; it was split apart.

• Toward the Four Winds: It eventually formed four main kingdoms in the north, south, east, and west.

• Not to His Posterity: None went to Alexander's family or descendants—they were mostly murdered in the chaos.

• Not According to His Dominion: The new rulers didn't follow Alexander's style or wishes; it was a messy, violent handover.

• Plucked Up for Others Beside Those: The empire was torn apart ("plucked up") by many contenders beyond the final four main rulers.

This echoes earlier visions in Daniel, like the leopard with four wings and four heads in Daniel 7:6, symbolising speed and division. After Alexander's death, the "wings" (swift conquests) detached, and the empire was carved up.

The "Others Besides Those": The Power-Hungry Contenders

Daniel highlights "others besides those" to show the empire wasn't just neatly divided—it was a brutal tug-of-war involving many ambitious figures. "Those" refers to the four eventual main rulers who stabilised kingdoms over 50 years after Alexander's death. The "others" were additional players, including generals, family members, and opportunists, all vying for slices of the pie.

From history, key "others" include:

• Seleucus, Perdiccas, Polyperchon, Cassander, Demetrius, Eumenes, Ptolemy Ceraunus, Antigonus Gonatas.

• Earlier contenders like Antigonus Monophthalmus (the one-eyed), Lysimachus, Craterus, and Antipater.

Even Alexander's family ("posterity") got caught in the violence:

• His mother Olympias, son Alexander IV, wife Roxana, half-brother Arrhidaeus (Philip III), and Arrhidaeus's mother Eurydice were all murdered.

This frenzy of assassinations and battles shows why Daniel calls them "others"—a swarm of rivals tearing the empire apart.

A Quick Dive into the Power Struggles

Let's unpack the chaotic years after Alexander's death in 323 BC. It's like a historical thriller full of alliances, betrayals, and shifting loyalties. We'll keep it concise but cover the key events.

• Initial Guardians and Usurpers (323–319 BC): Alexander left Antipater in charge of Macedonia. His unborn son (Alexander IV) and half-brother (Philip III) became puppet kings. Perdiccas seized power as regent but was assassinated in Egypt in 321 BC after clashing with rivals. Eumenes, allied with Perdiccas, fought on but was executed in 316 BC.

• Antigonus's Rise and Fall (315–301 BC): Antigonus aimed to reunite the empire, controlling from Asia Minor to Iran. He ousted Seleucus from Babylonia (who fled to Egypt) and condemned Cassander for murdering Alexander's family. But a coalition (Cassander, Lysimachus, Ptolemy, Seleucus) defeated and killed him at Ipsus in 301 BC. His son Demetrius escaped.

• Shifting Alliances and Assassinations (310–286 BC): Cassander killed Alexander IV and Roxana in 310 BC to clear his path. Generals proclaimed themselves kings around 306 BC (e.g., Ptolemy, Seleucus). Demetrius seized Macedonia in 294 BC but lost it in 288 BC to Lysimachus and Pyrrhus, dying in 283 BC.

• Final Consolidations (286–276 BC): Lysimachus grabbed Macedonia but was killed in intrigue. Seleucus invaded Europe but was assassinated by Ptolemy Ceraunus in 281 BC. Ceraunus briefly ruled Macedonia until Celts killed him in 279 BC. Antigonus Gonatas (Demetrius's son) defeated the Celts and became king of Macedonia in 276 BC, founding the Antigonid dynasty.

This mess of wars and murders illustrates Daniel's "plucked up for others"—the empire was ripped to shreds by these contenders before settling into four winds.

The Four Winds: The Stabilised Kingdoms

After decades of chaos, the empire crystallised into four directions ("winds") by around 270 BC. Each became a independent kingdom ruled by dynasties from Alexander's generals.

• West Wind: Antigonids of Macedonia (277–168 BC): Founded by Antigonus II Gonatas after defeating Celtic invaders. Rulers included Demetrius II (239–229 BC), Antigonus III, Philip V (221–179 BC), and Perseus (179–168 BC). Ended when Rome conquered them. Started with Antigonus Monophthalmus's ambitions.

• South Wind: Ptolemies of Egypt (323–30 BC): Founded by Ptolemy I Soter. Greek culture thrived in cities like Alexandria, but Egyptian ways resurfaced after 200 BC. They held southern Syria, Cyprus, and Aegean islands, clashing often with Seleucids and Antigonids. Last Greek state annexed by Rome in 30 BC.

• North Wind: Seleucids of Syria and Mesopotamia (321–64 BC): Founded by Seleucus I. Peaked under Antiochus III but dissolved amid strife by 123–83 BC. Armenia's Tigranes seized remnants in 83 BC; Rome annexed Syria in 64 BC under Pompey. Judea was often under their control, leading to conflicts.

• East Wind: Kingdoms in Bactria and India (c. 250–130 BC): Diodotus broke away from Seleucids around 250 BC, creating a Greek-Macedonian realm. Euthydemus overthrew his son and expanded into India. Demetrius (another one) reached Punjab by 187 BC. Nomads defeated them by 135 BC, but Greek influence lingered in Indian tales. Bactria was a key trade hub between East and West.

These kingdoms fulfilled the "four winds," but their histories intertwined with Israel's story, as detailed in Daniel 11:5–16 (focusing on Egypt and Syria).

Linking to Broader Prophecies: The Rise of the Little Horn

Daniel connects this to other visions, like Daniel 8:8–9:

"Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven. And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land."

• The "he goat" is Greece/Macedonia; the "great horn" is Alexander.

• Four "notable ones" are early contenders (Ptolemy, Antigonus, Perdiccas, Lysimachus) leading to the winds.

• The "little horn" emerges from one wind (the West, Greece/Macedonia) and grows massively toward the south (Egypt), east (Armenia, Mesopotamia), and pleasant land (Palestine, per Psalm 106:24 and Jeremiah 3:19; also linked to Israel's later home in the British Isles via Hosea 9:13).

This "little horn" isn't Antiochus Epiphanes (Seleucid king, 175–164 BC), who desecrated Jerusalem but didn't expand vastly—Rome limited him. Instead, it's Rome, the true "little horn" from the north (beyond Syria), conquering south, east, and Palestine. Rome absorbed the winds: West in 146 BC, North in 64 BC, South in 30 BC, East earlier.

Rome's story spills into Daniel 7:7–8 (the fourth beast with 10 horns, including the little horn as the Papacy). It spans 2,300 years , far beyond Antiochus's short reign. Rome crucified Jews, destroyed Jerusalem, and influenced history massively—even echoing in later atrocities like Nazi Germany.

Wrapping It Up: Prophecy Meets History

Daniel's words aren't just ancient riddles—they match history precisely, from Alexander's shattered empire to Rome's rise. The "others besides those" even includes Rome, dictating terms amid the Greek infighting. Every detail, like the plucking and dividing, holds up under scrutiny. By unpacking each phrase carefully, we see how prophecy and history lock together perfectly, revealing a bigger picture of empires rising and falling around God's people. This isn't about squeezing facts to fit; it's about letting the words speak true. 

Page 24.

Chapter 25: 

Alexander's South Wind: 

Unpacking Daniel 11:5

In the Book of Daniel, chapter 11 unfolds a detailed prophecy about the rise and fall of empires after Alexander the Great. This verse focuses on the "south wind" – the southern kingdom emerging from Alexander's divided empire, centred in Egypt. The prophecy, given centuries earlier, remarkably aligns with real historical events, showing God's foresight over human affairs. We'll break it down step by step, linking the ancient words to the key players and their impacts, especially on the Jewish people.

The verse from the King James Version reads: "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."

This prophecy describes a strong southern ruler, one of his princes, and a successor who becomes even mightier, building a vast domain. In history, this points to the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt, one of the four "winds" or divisions of Alexander's empire (as hinted in earlier visions like the four-winged leopard in Daniel 7). Egypt, south of Palestine (the prophetic "pivot" point), becomes a powerhouse under Greek-Macedonian rulers. Let's dive into the figures and events.

The King of the South: Ptolemy I Soter (323–285 BC)

The "king of the south" refers to Ptolemy I, a trusted general in Alexander's army. After Alexander's death in 323 BC, his vast empire splintered among his successors – like wings being plucked from a great bird. Ptolemy grabbed Egypt, Libya, and parts of Arabia, holding on fiercely amid the chaos.

• Seizing Power: While others squabbled over territories, Ptolemy dug in. He fended off rivals, aligning with figures like Cassander (son of Antipater) against Polyperchon in Greece around 319 BC. By 315 BC, he switched sides temporarily with Antigonus, who dreamed of reuniting the empire, but soon clashed with him.

• Key Battles and Alliances: In 312 BC, Ptolemy crushed Antigonus's son Demetrius at Gaza, helping Seleucus reclaim Babylonia. A shaky peace in 311 BC left Ptolemy as Egypt's undisputed general. He even installed his brother Menelaus in Cyprus for added security.

• Becoming King: In 306 BC, when Antigonus declared himself king, Ptolemy followed in 305 BC, dubbing himself "Soter" (saviour). This kicked off the Ptolemaic dynasty, ruling Egypt from 323 BC until Rome absorbed it in 30 BC.

• Style of Rule: Unlike warmongers, Ptolemy expanded through smart marriages and alliances. He repelled invasions, like Antigonus's attack in 305–304 BC, and secured Cyrenaica in 322 BC as a buffer against threats from the west.

Ptolemy's strength made Egypt a stable "dominion" – but the prophecy hints at even greater things to come through his lineage.

The Prince: Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285–246 BC)

The verse shifts to "one of his princes" – Ptolemy's son, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, who co-ruled briefly before taking the throne fully in 285 BC.

• Ruthless Rise: He eliminated rivals, banishing his first wife Arsinoe and marrying his sister (a common Egyptian custom adopted by Greeks). Not a warrior like his dad, he preferred diplomacy and deals.

• Cultural Boom: Philadelphus transformed Egypt into a hub of Greek (Hellenic) learning. Alexandria became a magnet for arts and sciences, drawing thousands of Jews who adopted Greek as their language over Hebrew.

• Impact on Judaism: Around 250 BC, he commissioned 72 Jewish scholars to translate the Torah (first five books of Moses) into Greek – the famous Septuagint (from "seventy," roughly). Legend says they worked separately but produced identical versions word-for-word. This shift Hellenised Jewish thought, making scripture accessible but changing cultural roots.

While successful in peace, Philadelphus set the stage for his son's peak achievements.

The Stronger Ruler: Ptolemy III Euergetes (246–221 BC)

The prophecy's climax: "And he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion." This "he" is Ptolemy III Euergetes, son of Philadelphus and grandson of Soter. Under him, Egypt hit its height of power, stability, and prosperity.

• Inheritance and Skills: Little is known of his early life, but he echoed his grandfather's command and diplomacy, avoiding needless wars that plagued rivals in Macedonia and Syria.

• Expansions and Victories: Euergetes (meaning "benefactor") extended control from the Mediterranean to the Hellespont in Asia Minor and Thrace's coast. He invaded Persian lands, reclaiming Egyptian god statues stolen by Cambyses II in the 6th century BC. Grateful Egyptians and priests hailed him as their saviour.

• Vast Dominion: From Thrace to Persia and south to Egypt, his rule was immense – a "great dominion" indeed. He entered Jerusalem in 320 BC (as a general under his grandfather), incorporating Judah into Ptolemaic lands.

• Strategic Defences: Egypt's Nile valley was desert-protected on three sides, so threats came from the north or Cyrene (secured early). The Ptolemies built a mighty navy in Alexandria, dominating the southeastern Mediterranean and Aegean. Palestine was key for security, leading to repeated clashes with Syria.

These first three Ptolemies – Soter, Philadelphus, and Euergetes – were the dynasty's strongest. After Euergetes's death in 221 BC, decline set in under his weak son, Ptolemy IV Philopater.

Impact on the Jewish People: A Profound Shift

The prophecy isn't just about kings; it's tied to God's people. Ptolemaic rule over Judah lasted over 100 years, reshaping Jewish life more than previous conquerors like Persia or Babylon.

• Hellenization of Mind and Culture: Greeks influenced Jewish thinking, language, and customs. Alexandria attracted Jews, turning Greek into their everyday tongue. The Septuagint spread scripture widely but diluted Hebrew traditions.

• Social Changes: Upper-class Jews embraced Greek ways, while farmers and shepherds clung to Mosaic Law. Garrisons, traders, and settlers flooded Palestine; many Jews were enslaved in Egypt.

• Economic and Political Ties: An organised tax system in Palestine (noted by historian Flavius Josephus) kept order. Euergetes treated Jews kindly, eventually signing a peace treaty – much like Cyrus of Persia, who aided Judah's "holy seed" (as in Isaiah).

• Body and Soul Under Attack: Ptolemaic influence hit the mind (language, learning); later Seleucids (from Syria) targeted the body, banning circumcision as Jews joined Greek games. This fulfilled Genesis 9:27: "God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem." – Greeks (Japheth's descendants) entering Hebrew (Shem's) world.

When Syria's Seleucids took Palestine, Hellenization intensified, but the seeds were sown here.

Debunking Simplified Views: Depth in Prophecy

Some scholars skim Daniel 11, lumping verses 1–20 as just "troubles between Egypt and Syria" up to Antiochus Epiphanes (the "little horn"). But this misses the precision: Egypt's story ends by verse 14, with later verses weaving in Roman, British, and world history. Daniel's focus on Euergetes highlights his role in preserving and transforming Judah, ensuring the prophetic line to Messiah.

This verse shows how prophecy and history entwine – a southern kingdom rising strong, peaking under a benefactor king, all while shaping the fate of God's people. Next, we'll move to verse 6, where alliances turn tense.

Page 25.

Chapter 26: 

Daniel Chapter 11: Verse 6 – 

Unravelling the Power Struggles 

of Ancient Kings

This chapter explores Daniel 11:6 from the KJV Bible, linking its prophecy to real historical events. We'll break it down step by step, making the tangled web of ancient politics clearer and more engaging. Imagine a high-stakes chess game where kings, queens, and empires vie for control, with Palestine and its Jewish people caught in the middle. The verse predicts alliances, betrayals, and falls from power among the successors of Alexander the Great's empire – specifically the Ptolemaic rulers of Egypt (the "South") and the Seleucid rulers of Syria (the "North"). We'll keep the depth but use straightforward language, headings, and key takeaways to guide you through.

The Prophetic Verse: What Does It Say?

Daniel 11:6 reads:

"AND IN THE END OF YEARS THEY SHALL JOIN THEMSELVES TOGETHER; FOR THE KINGS 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."

This isn't just poetry – it's a blueprint for history. Daniel, writing centuries earlier, foresaw a fragile alliance sealed by marriage, leading to chaos. The "end of years" hints at the fading Greek era, as Rome's influence grows. "They" refers to branches of Alexander's divided empire joining forces. The "king's daughter of the South" is a Ptolemaic princess from Egypt, heading north to Syria for a deal. But power slips away: she loses her influence ("power of the arm"), her husband falls, and everyone involved – her escorts, father, and supporters – meets grim ends.

Key takeaway: Prophecy here spotlights rulers whose actions ripple through Palestine, affecting the Jewish people profoundly.

Historical Backdrop: The "End of Years" for Greek Rule

Palestine sat like a buffer zone between two rival powers: Egypt under the Ptolemies (South) and Syria under the Seleucids (North). From 323 BC to 198 BC, the Ptolemies controlled Palestine, allowing some Jewish self-rule via high priests. But by the "end of years" – around 180–145 BC under Ptolemy VI Philometor – Greek dominance was crumbling. Internal rot weakened both dynasties, and Rome loomed as the new powerhouse, having crushed Macedonia in 197 BC and 168 BC.

This verse skips minor rulers, focusing on those impacting Judah most. Names repeat (lots of Ptolemies, Antiochi, and Cleopatras), but Daniel's clues help identify them. Start with Alexander the Great's empire splitting (from Daniel 11:4): his lands went to "others," birthing the Ptolemies, Seleucids, and eventually Romans. Early Ptolemies like Soter (founder), Philadelphus, and Euergetes built Egypt's strength. Then came Philopator (221–205 BC, minor role) and Epiphanes (205–180 BC), whose marriage to Cleopatra I (Seleucid princess) united North and South bloodlines.

Ptolemy VI Philometor (180–145 BC), their son, inherited a messy throne. He co-ruled with mum Cleopatra I until her death in 176 BC, then married sister Cleopatra II (incest common in these dynasties). Their daughter, Cleopatra Thea, becomes the "king's daughter of the South." This era's intrigues – wars, pretenders, and Roman meddling – set the stage for the verse's drama.

Key takeaway: The "end of years" marks Greece's decline, with Egypt losing Palestine to Syria and nearly its own sovereignty.

The Alliance: Joining North and South

The verse says "they shall join themselves together." "They" are the North-South rivals from Alexander's legacy. In 205 BC, Ptolemy V Epiphanes married Seleucid Cleopatra I, blending lines. But the real action ramps up under Ptolemy VI.

Antiochus III the Great (Seleucid) had already chipped at Egypt, defeating Ptolemy V in 195 BC and claiming territories. After Cleopatra I's death, Egypt tried reclaiming Palestine but lost to Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–163 BC). He invaded Egypt in 169 BC, capturing part of it and guarding Ptolemy VI, who escaped. Epiphanes returned in 168 BC, but Rome intervened. Envoy Gaius Popillius Laenas drew a line in the sand (literally), forcing withdrawal. Rome, fresh from conquering Macedonia, backed Egypt, shielding Ptolemy VI.

Internal Egyptian squabbles added fuel: Ptolemy VI feuded with brother Ptolemy VIII Euergetes and sister-wife Cleopatra II. They shared the throne, including young son Ptolemy VII. In 164 BC, Ptolemy VIII ousted Ptolemy VI from Alexandria; Rome partitioned lands (Egypt and Cyprus to Ptolemy VI, Cyrenaica to VIII). Ptolemy VI wed a daughter to his brother for peace.

By 155 BC, fresh North-South clashes erupted. Enter pretender Alexander Balas (150–145 BC), who seized Syria's throne by killing Demetrius I Soter, with Rome and Egypt's support. Historian Flavius Josephus in Antiquities of the Jews details Balas writing to Ptolemy VI for his daughter's hand:

"Alexander took the kingdom of Syria, and wrote to Ptolemy Philometor, and desired his daughter in marriage; and said it was but just that he should be joined an affinity to one that had now received the principality of his forefathers, and had been promoted to it by God's providence, and had conquered Demetrius, and that was on other accounts not unworthy of being related to him. Ptolemy received this proposal of marriage gladly; and wrote him an answer, saluting him on account of his having received the principality of his forefathers; and promising him that he would give him his daughter in marriage; and assured him that he was coming to meet him at Ptolemais, and desired that he would there meet him, for that he would accompany her from Egypt so far, and would there marry his child to him. When Ptolemy had written thus, he came suddenly to Ptolemais, and brought his daughter Cleopatra along with him; and as he found Alexander there before him, as he desired him to come, he gave him his child in marriage, and for her portion gave her much silver and gold as became such a king to give."

They met at Ptolemais (in Phoenicia, North territory). This seals the "agreement": Cleopatra Thea weds Balas around 153 BC, becoming Syria's queen and gaining "power of the arm" (influence).

Key takeaway: The marriage was a strategic pact for stability, but prophecy warns it won't last.

The Betrayal: Losing Power and Falling Apart

"But she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm." In 148 BC, Ptolemy VI switched sides. Demetrius II Nicator revolted against Balas. Ptolemy, learning of Balas' assassination plot, dissolved the alliance, took Cleopatra from Balas, and gave her to Demetrius. With Ptolemy and Rome's help, Demetrius defeated Balas, who fled to Arabia and was murdered. Ptolemy crowned himself king of Asia and Egypt briefly.

Balas ("he") doesn't "stand" – loses power and life. Cleopatra loses her Syrian clout under Balas.

Key takeaway: Alliances shatter amid treachery, fulfilling the prophecy's warnings.

Cleopatra Thea's Tragic Fate: "Given Up"

"But she shall be given up, and they that brought her." Cleopatra is repeatedly "given up" – surrendered to fate. Wed to Demetrius (145–139/8 BC, then 129–125 BC), she faces more chaos. Demetrius fought Tryphon (proclaiming Balas' son Antiochus VI king). In 139 BC, Demetrius was captured by Parthia's Arsaces, imprisoned 10 years. Cleopatra and sons were house-arrested in Syria – another "giving up."

She wrote to Demetrius' brother Antiochus VII Sidetes (138–129 BC), marrying him. He defeated Tryphon, took the throne (Demetrius still alive). Demetrius returned in 129 BC, reclaimed power, but was killed with Egyptian help. Cleopatra, now power-hungry, murdered elder son for younger (Antiochus VIII Grypus) to rule. Grypus rebelled, forcing her to drink her own poison in 120 BC.

She's "given up" by father, husbands (Balas, Demetrius, Antiochus VII), and sons in endless struggles.

Key takeaway: Cleopatra's life embodies surrender to ruthless politics.

The Father's Downfall and Supporters: "He That Begat Her" and "He That Strengthened Her"

"And he that begat her" – Ptolemy VI, her father, is "given up." Amid Egyptian feuds (with brother, sister-wife, son), he's drawn to Syria for her marriage. In 145 BC, battling there, his horse throws him; he fractures his skull and dies days later.

"They that brought her" – Husbands Balas, Demetrius, Antiochus VII – who escorted her from Ptolemais to Syria, using her for power, all fall.

"He that strengthened her" – Her sons, but she kills the elder to empower the younger (Grypus), her "strength" in turbulent times. Yet Grypus turns on her, leading to her death.

Key takeaway: Everyone tied to this alliance meets defeat, echoing the prophecy.

Impact on Judah: The Maccabean Revolt Amid the Chaos

Ptolemy VI's 35-year reign (180–145 BC) overlaps massive Jewish upheaval in Palestine. Buffeted by North-South wars, Jews fought for survival under Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–163 BC). He enforced Greek culture, desecrated Jerusalem's temple (removing gold items, sacrificing pigs), banned Jewish laws, and massacred resisters.

Enter Mattathias, priest from Modin. In 167 BC, he killed a Greek official and apostate Jew, fleeing to hills with sons (including Judas Maccabeus). They rallied Hasideans, forming a guerrilla force. After Mattathias' death, Judas led victories: routing Apollonius, Seron at Beth-Horon, and Gorgias at Emmaus (despite odds – 3,000 vs. 40,000+). Lysias' 65,000-man army fell at Bethzur after Judas' prayer invoking David and Jonathan.

In 164 BC, Judas purified and rededicated the temple (origin of Hanukkah). He fortified sites, liberated Jews from Idumeans and Ammonites (ancestors of modern Arabs, echoing ancient Esau-Jacob hatred).

Epiphanes, hearing defeats while in Persia, died grief-stricken (163 BC), recalling Jerusalem's plunder. His son Eupator ruled briefly; Demetrius I reclaimed the line.

Key takeaway: Judah's "holy war" for independence shines amid Greek decline, fulfilling prophecy's focus on impacts to God's people.

Conclusion: Prophecy Meets History

Daniel 11:6 nails the drama: a doomed alliance, power grabs, and falls, all swirling around Egypt, Syria, and rising Rome. Cleopatra Thea's story – from pawn to poisoner – encapsulates it. Yet the real heart is Palestine's Jews, enduring and resisting via the Maccabees. This sets up verses 7–10's continued tugs-of-war. Daniel's vision proves timeless: empires rise and fall, but divine plans endure.

Page 26.

Chapter 27: 

Daniel Chapter 11: Verse 7 – 

Turmoil in the Ptolemaic Dynasty

In this part of Daniel's prophecy, we dive into a turbulent era of ancient history, where family feuds and power struggles weakened mighty kingdoms, paving the way for Rome's rise. Daniel 11:7 highlights key events involving Ptolemy IX Soter II (nicknamed "Lathyrus," meaning chick-pea) and his mother, Cleopatra III, during the decline of the Seleucid and Ptolemaic empires around 116–110 BC and later periods like 109–107 and 88–80 BC. This verse paints a picture of invasion, conflict, and victory amid the chaos that engulfed Egypt, Syria, and Palestine.

The prophecy cleverly spotlights how these "end years" of regional power brought awful turmoil, making it easy for Roman legions to sweep in and conquer the fractured Greek kingdoms one by one. Let's break it down step by step, linking the biblical words to real historical events, while keeping the focus on how this affected the Jewish people in Palestine.

The Biblical Verse and Its Meaning

Daniel 11:7 (KJV): "BUT OUT OF THE 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."

This verse continues from verse 6, which described political instability in Egypt and Syria, including dynastic infighting and a failed alliance. Here, Daniel shifts to a new figure rising from the same family line – a "branch" – who seizes power, invades the north, and triumphs. It's a snapshot of how endless quarrels eroded these empires, with Palestine caught in the middle.

Recap: The Lead-Up from Previous Events

To understand verse 7, we need a quick look back. Verse 6 showed the crumbling kingdoms of Egypt (Ptolemies, "king of the south") and Syria (Seleucids, "king of the north"), torn by power grabs. This era also saw the rise of the Maccabean (Hasmonean) dynasty among the Jews, fighting for independence after the brutal rule of Antiochus Epiphanes (168–163 BC).

• The Maccabean Revolt Begins: It started with Mattathias, a priest from Modin, rallying against Syrian oppression. His five sons carried on the fight.

• Judas Maccabaeus (died 160 BC): The brilliant warrior who led the Jews to early victories and partial freedom.

• Jonathan (143 BC): Took over as leader and high priest. He navigated Syria's civil war (around 150–145 BC) involving figures like Alexander Balas, Demetrius II, Antiochus VII, Ptolemy VI Philometor, and General Tryphon. This chaos gave Judah a brief peace.

• Simeon (Thassi, until 135 BC): The wisest brother, appointed adviser by Mattathias. He fortified Jerusalem, captured Joppa, outmanoeuvred Tryphon, allied with Demetrius II for Judah's independence in 142 BC, and seized Gezer and the Syrian citadel in Jerusalem. Under him, Judah minted its own coins and expanded to include parts of Samaria, Joppa, and lands east of the Jordan.

By 140 BC, Simeon was hailed as prince, high priest, and leader. As 1 Maccabees 14:43 states: "BESIDES THIS, THAT HE (Simeon) SHOULD BE OBEYED OF EVERY MAN, AND THAT ALL THE WRITINGS IN THE COUNTRY SHOULD BE MADE IN HIS NAME, AND THAT HE SHOULD BE CLOTHED IN PURPLE, AND WEAR GOLD."

Syria recognised this too, as 1 Maccabees 15:1 notes: "MOREOVER ANTIOCHUS SON OF DEMETRIUS THE KING, SENT LETTERS FROM THE ISLES OF THE SEA UNTO SIMEON THE PRIEST AND PRINCE OF THE JEWS AND TO ALL THE PEOPLE."

This marked the start of Hasmonean royal rule from 140 BC, expanding Judah's kingdom to its peak under John Hyrcanus I (135–104 BC), Aristobulus I (104–103 BC), and Alexander Jannaeus (103–76 BC). But with three kingdoms now in play – fractured Ptolemaic Egypt, war-torn Syria, and emerging Hasmonean Judah – the stage was set for more conflict.

Cleopatra III: The Complicated Family Tree

Cleopatra III's story is a tangled web of incest and ambition, typical of the Ptolemies. To trace her:

• Ptolemy VI Philometor married his sister Cleopatra II.

• Their brother, Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II, ruled Cyrenaica (thanks to Roman intervention to stop family fights).

• After Philometor's death in 145 BC, Euergetes killed Philometor's young son (Ptolemy VII) and married Cleopatra II.

• Disagreements led Euergetes to divorce Cleopatra II and marry her daughter, Cleopatra III – the key figure in verse 7.

Euergetes and Cleopatra II died in 116 BC, leaving the throne to Cleopatra III and her two sons: Ptolemy IX Soter II ("Lathyrus") and Ptolemy X Alexander I (plus an illegitimate brother, Ptolemy Apion, ruling Cyrenaica).

Cleopatra III favoured Alexander, but popular support forced her to rule with Lathyrus instead, sending Alexander to Cyprus as governor.

Interpreting "Out of the Branch of Her Roots"

Breaking down the verse:

• "But out of the branch of her roots": The "but" links back to verse 6's Cleopatra II. "Her roots" are the Ptolemaic bloodline. The "branch" is Cleopatra III, her daughter from the same incestuous family tree – both married to Euergetes (brother and uncle).

• "Shall one stand up in his estate": Shifts to a man: Ptolemy IX Lathyrus. "Estate" means his rightful rank, property, and rule over Egypt. History shows Euergetes' will left Cleopatra III in control of Egypt and Cyprus. She wanted Alexander as co-ruler, but Lathyrus' popularity made him joint king from 116 BC. He "stood up" to claim his inheritance.

Lathyrus married his sister Cleopatra IV (strong-willed), but his mother forced a divorce and remarriage to the more compliant Cleopatra Selene. Quarrels boiled over into war by 110 BC.

The Invasion: "Come with an Army and Enter into the Fortress"

• "Which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north": This describes Lathyrus' military moves. Expelled by his mother in 110 BC, he fled to Cyprus, built an army, and invaded northern Syria in 107 BC to back a Syrian throne claimant. His mother allied with rivals, including Jewish king John Hyrcanus I in Palestine.

The "fortress" is Ptolemais (ancient Akko, modern Acre), a heavily fortified city with a strategic harbour, 8 miles north of Mount Carmel. Allotted to Asher in the Bible . Later, Crusaders called it St. Jean d'Acre; it withstood Napoleon in 1799 and fell to Jewish forces in 1948.

Hasmonean Involvement and the Broader Chaos

John Hyrcanus I (135–104 BC), a Pharisee-turned-Sadducee, navigated internal Jewish divisions while getting pulled into Egyptian feuds. Josephus' Antiquities of the Jews describes how Cleopatra III, at odds with Lathyrus, appointed Jewish generals Chelcias and Ananias. Strabo notes her reliance on Jewish loyalists.

Lathyrus invaded from Cyprus, targeting Ptolemais during its siege by Alexander Jannaeus. Josephus details:

• Jannaeus besieged Ptolemais; locals sought Lathyrus' help, promising alliances from Gaza, Zoilus, Sidonians.

• Demenetus persuaded Ptolemais against it, fearing Egyptian backlash.

• Lathyrus landed anyway with 30,000 troops but was rebuffed.

• Gaza and Zoilus appealed to him; Jannaeus lifted his siege, tricked Lathyrus into attacking Zoilus, then secretly invited Cleopatra against her son.

• Lathyrus "dealt against them" – the northern forces and fortress – and "prevailed," capturing Ptolemais amid the mess.

Cleopatra III also besieged Ptolemais, escalating the mother-son war across Egypt, Cyprus, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan. This "branch" (Lathyrus from Cleopatra III's roots) turned against her, fulfilling the prophecy.

Why Daniel Highlights This: Prophecy Meets History

Daniel's visions centre on thrones, nations, and the fate of the "holy seed" – the Jews in Palestine. This era's endless wars weakened everyone, explaining Rome's easy conquests. The focus on Ptolemais shows how a single stronghold became a flashpoint in regional power struggles.

This turmoil continues into Daniel 11:8, extending the Ptolemaic saga and its impact on the ancient world. By untangling these threads, we see how prophecy illuminates history's chaos, reminding us of the bigger divine picture.

Page 27.

Chapter 28: 

Daniel Chapter 11, Verse 8 – 

Ptolemy IX Soter II (Lathyrus), 

Cleopatra III, Alexander Jannaeus, 

and the Seleucid Dynasty (107–64 BC)

This chapter dives into the prophetic vision in Daniel 11:8 from the King James Version (KJV) Bible. We'll unpack how this verse connects to real historical events in the ancient Middle East, focusing on the ongoing clashes between the Greek kingdoms of the North (Seleucids in Syria) and South (Ptolemies in Egypt). The story involves betrayal, battles, and treasures, all while Palestine gets caught in the crossfire. We'll break it down step by step to make the complex history and prophecy easier to follow, without losing any of the original depth.

The Biblical Verse and Its Connection to History

The verse reads: "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."

This picks up from Daniel 11:7, linked by the word "also," meaning "in addition" or "in the same way." It describes Ptolemy IX Soter II, nicknamed "Lathyrus," and his raids north of Egypt. After besieging the fortress of Ptolemais (modern-day Acre), Lathyrus clashed with his mother, Cleopatra III, who allied with Jewish King Alexander Jannaeus and backed a rival claimant to the Seleucid throne.

The broader picture? This is part of the fractured Greek empire after Alexander the Great's death in 323 BC. Egypt (South) and Syria (North) battled for control, with Palestine often the battlefield. Lathyrus, exiled to Cyprus, launched attacks to reclaim Egypt, leading to chaos in Syria and Palestine.

Key Players and the Civil War Backdrop

• Ptolemy IX "Lathyrus": Ruler of Egypt, fighting his mother for the throne.

• Cleopatra III: His powerful mother, allied with Jews and a Seleucid pretender.

• Alexander Jannaeus: King of Judea (Palestine), initially allied with Lathyrus but later opposing him.

• Seleucid Dynasty: The northern Greek kingdom in Syria, torn by internal claimants.

Amid the Syrian civil war, Cleopatra sent her grandsons—Alexander II (later Ptolemy XI) and Auletes (later Ptolemy XII, father of the famous Cleopatra VII)—to the island of Cos for safety, along with vast treasures. Historians debate Cos's location: some say it's an Aegean island near Asia Minor; others suggest a closer site near Egypt. The point? Times were so dangerous that no one was secure.

Lathyrus, furious after a broken alliance with Jannaeus, turned on Judea with half his army, devastating the region.

Josephus's Account: The Battle and Atrocities

Flavius Josephus, in Antiquities of the Jews (Book XIII, page 400), details the carnage:

"AND WHEN ALEXANDER UNDERSTOOD THIS TO BE PTOLEMY'S INTENTION, HE ALSO GOT TOGETHER ABOUT FIFTY THOUSAND SOLDIERS OUT OF HIS OWN COUNTRY; NAY AS SOME WRITERS HAVE SAID EIGHTY THOUSAND. HE THEN TOOK HIS ARMY, AND WENT TO MEET PTOLEMY; BUT PTOLEMY FELL UPON ASOCHIS, A CITY OF GALILEE, AND TOOK IT BY FORCE ON THE SABBATH DAY, AND THERE HE TOOK ABOUT TEN THOUSAND SLAVES, AND A GREAT DEAL OF OTHER PREY.

HE THEN TRIED TO TAKE SEPPHORIS, WHICH WAS A CITY NOT FAR FROM THAT WHICH WAS DESTROYED, BUT LOST MANY OF HIS MEN; YET DID HE THEN GO TO FIGHT WITH ALEXANDER; WHICH ALEXANDER MET HIM AT THE RIVER JORDAN, NEAR A CERTAIN PLACE CALLED SAPHOTH, (not far from the River Jordan) AND PITCHED HIS CAMP NEAR THE ENEMY. HE HAD HOWEVER EIGHT THOUSAND IN THE FIRST RANK, WHICH HE STYLED HECATONTOMACHI, HAVING SHIELDS OF BRASS. THOSE IN THE FIRST RANK OF PTOLEMY'S SOLDIERS ALSO HAD SHIELDS COVERED IN BRASS. BUT PTOLEMY'S SOLDIERS IN OTHER RESPECTS WERE INFERIOR TO THOSE OF ALEXANDER, AND THEREFORE WERE MORE FEARFUL OF RUNNING HAZARDS; BUT PHILOSTEPHANUS, THE CAMP-MASTER, PUT GREAT COURAGE INTO THEM, AND ORDERED THEM TO PASS THE RIVER, WHICH WAS BETWEEN THEIR CAMPS. NOR DID ALEXANDER THINK FIT TO HINDER THEIR PASSAGE OVER IT; FOR HE THOUGHT, THAT IF THE ENEMY HAD ONCE GOTTEN THE RIVER ON THEIR BACK, THAT HE SHOULD THE EASIER TAKE THEM PRISONERS, WHEN THEY COULD NOT FLEE OUT OF THE BATTLE: IN THE BEGINNING OF WHICH, THE ACTS ON BOTH SIDES, WITH THEIR HANDS, AND WITH THEIR ALACRITY, WERE ALIKE, AND A GREAT SLAUGHTER WAS MADE BY BOTH THE ARMIES; BUT ALEXANDER WAS SUPERIOR, TILL PHILOSTEPHANUS OPPORTUNELY BROUGHT UP THE AUXILIARIES, TO HELP THOSE THAT WERE GIVING WAY; BUT AS THERE WERE NO AUXILIARIES TO AFFORD HELP TO THAT PART OF THE JEWS THAT GAVE WAY, IT FELL OUT THAT THEY FLED, AND THOSE NEAR THEM DID NOT ASSIST THEM, BUT FLED ALONG WITH THEM. HOWEVER, PTOLEMY'S SOLDIERS ACTED QUITE OTHERWISE; FOR THEY FOLLOWED THE JEWS, AND KILLED THEM, TILL AT LENGTH THOSE THAT SLEW THEM PURSUED AFTER THEM WHEN THEY HAD MADE THEM ALL RUN AWAY, AND SLEW THEM SO LONG, THAT THEIR WEAPONS OF IRON WERE BLUNTED, AND THEIR HANDS QUITE TIRED WITH THE SLAUGHTER; FOR THE REPORT WAS, THAT THIRTY THOUSAND MEN WERE THEN SLAIN. TIMAGENES SAYS THEY WERE FIFTY THOUSAND. AS FOR THE REST, THEY WERE PART OF THEM TAKEN CAPTIVES, AND THE OTHER PART RAN AWAY TO THEIR OWN COUNTRY.

AFTER THIS VICTORY, PTOLEMY OVERRAN ALL THE COUNTRY; AND WHEN NIGHT CAME ON, HE ABODE IN CERTAIN VILLAGES OF JUDEA, WHICH WHEN HE FOUND FULL OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN, HE COMMANDED HIS SOLDIERS TO STRANGLE THEM, AND TO CUT THEM IN PIECES, AND THEN TO CAST THEM INTO BOILING CALDRONS, AND THEN TO DEVOUR THEIR LIMBS AS SACRIFICES. THIS COMMANDMENT WAS GIVEN, THAT SUCH AS LED FROM THE BATTLE, AND CAME TO THEM, MIGHT SUPPOSE THEIR ENEMIES WERE CANNIBALS; AND EAT MEN'S FLESH, AND MIGHT ON THAT ACCOUNT BE STILL MORE TERRIFIED AT THEM UPON SUCH A SIGHT. AND BOTH STRABO AND NICHOLAUS (of Damascus) AFFIRM, THAT THEY USED THESE PEOPLE AFTER THIS MANNER, AS I HAVE ALREADY RELATED. PTOLEMY ALSO TOOK PTOLEMAIS BY FORCE, AS WE HAVE DECLARED ELSEWHERE."

Lathyrus's forces slaughtered 30,000–50,000, took 10,000 slaves from Galilee alone, and committed horrific acts against civilians to spread terror. Historians like Strabo and Nicholaus confirm these atrocities.

Unpacking "Their Gods": A Prophetic Insight

The phrasing "CARRY CAPTIVES INTO EGYPT THEIR GODS" is intriguing. Daniel's visions aren't always straightforward grammar—they're symbolic pictures hiding deeper truths. The missing "with" might hint at more than a typo; it's about the spiritual state of the people.

Greek religion permeated the region. Seleucids blended Olympian gods with local deities like Mithras (Iran), Marduk (Babylon), and Astarte (Syria). Kings like the Ptolemies and Seleucids claimed divine titles: "Soter" (Saviour), "Theos" (God), "Epiphanes" (God Manifest).

Jews, meant to worship one God, often adopted these practices. Under Jannaeus, Judea mixed Greek customs with Temple rituals—far from holy. Many Jews served in Egyptian armies, flocked to Alexandria, and bowed to Ptolemaic rulers. Daniel's "their gods" (plural) critiques this idolatry: anything exalted above God, from statues to rulers. It shows how Hellenisation corrupted Judah, despite the Maccabean revolt's efforts.

Lathyrus carried back slaves loyal to these "gods"—Egyptian or Greek influences—along with actual idols or treasures.

"With Their Princes, and With Their Precious Vessels of Silver and Gold"

After ravaging Judea, Lathyrus returned to Egypt, hoping to reclaim the throne. Josephus describes Cleopatra's response:

"WHEN CLEOPATRA SAW THAT HER SON WAS GROWN GREAT, AND LAID JUDAH WASTE, WITHOUT DISTURBANCE, AND HAD GOTTEN THE CITY OF GAZA UNDER HIS POWER, SHE RESOLVED NO LONGER TO OVERLOOK WHAT HE DID, WHEN HE WAS ALMOST AT HER GATES, AND SHE CONCLUDED, THAT NOW HE WAS SO MUCH STRONGER THAN BEFORE, HE WOULD BE VERY DESIROUS OF THE DOMINION OVER THE EGYPTIANS; BUT SHE IMMEDIATELY MARCHED AGAINST HIM, WITH A FLEET AT SEA AND AN ARMY OF FOOT ON LAND, AND MADE CHELCIAS AND ANANIAS THE JEWS GENERALS OF HER WHOLE ARMY, WHILE SHE SENT THE GREATEST PART OF HER RICHES, HER GRANDCHILDREN, AND HER TESTAMENT, TO THE PEOPLE OF COS. CLEOPATRA ALSO ORDERED HER SON (Alexander I) TO SAIL WITH A GREAT FLEET TO PHOENICIA; AND WHEN THAT COUNTRY HAD REVOLTED, SHE CAME TO PTOLEMAIS; AND BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF PTOLEMAIS DID NOT RECEIVE HER, SHE BESIEGED THE CITY; BUT PTOLEMY WENT OUT OF SYRIA, AND MADE HASTE INTO EGYPT, SUPPOSING THAT HE SHOULD FIND IT DESTITUTE OF AN ARMY, AND SOON TAKE IT, THOUGH HE FAILED OF HIS HOPES. AT THIS TIME CHELCIAS, ONE OF CLEOPATRA'S GENERALS, HAPPENED TO DIE IN CELESYRIA, AS HE WAS IN PURSUIT OF PTOLEMY. WHEN CLEOPATRA HEARD OF HER SON'S ATTEMPT, AND THAT HIS EGYPTIAN EXPEDITION DID NOT SUCCEED ACCORDING TO HIS EXPECTATIONS, SHE SENT THITHER PART OF HER ARMY, AND DROVE HIM OUT OF THAT COUNTRY; SO WHEN HE WAS RETURNED OUT OF EGYPT AGAIN, HE ABODE DURING THE WINTER AT GAZA, IN WHICH TIME CLEOPATRA TOOK THE GARRISON THAT WAS IN PTOLEMAIS BY SIEGE, AS WELL AS THE CITY; AND WHEN ALEXANDER CAME TO HER, HE GAVE HER PRESENTS, AND SUCH MARKS OF RESPECT AS WERE BUT PROPER, SINCE UNDER THE MISERIES HE ENDURED BY PTOLEMY HE HAD NO OTHER REFUGE BUT HER."

Lathyrus prevailed, popular with Egyptians. Josephus notes he took slaves and "a great deal of other prey" from Judea.

"Princes" likely include not just royal heirs like Jannaeus's sons (Aristobulus and Hyrcanus) but Judea's priestly nobility. Josephus explains the high priesthood as a princely line from Aaron, often held by kings like Jannaeus. These "princes" were captured as slaves.

"Precious vessels" refer to silver and gold treasures. Judea was wealthy; temples and towns held cups, beams of gold, and contributions from Jews worldwide. Josephus details vast Temple riches (e.g., 8,000 talents of gold plundered by Romans later). Treasures were stored in Cos too. We assume Lathyrus's "prey" included these, given the lack of specific secular records.

"He Shall Continue More Years Than the King of the North": Prophetic Closure

Lathyrus outlasted his rivals, ruling until 81 BC—longer than Jannaeus (died 77 BC) or the fading Seleucids. But Daniel means more: the Ptolemaic South endures beyond the Seleucid North, which crumbles first.

The Seleucids (312–64 BC) weakened by internal feuds, Parthian invasions, and Roman encroachment. Key events:

• Antiochus VII Sidetes dies fighting Parthians (129 BC).

• Rivals like Demetrius II and pretenders vie for power.

• By 64 BC, Rome annexes Syria under Pompey.

Daniel signals the North's fall before Egypt's, shifting focus northward to Rome. Palestine's independence ends, squeezed out until later verses.

Broader Context: Hellenisation and Jewish Identity

Jews weren't innocent; many embraced Greek ways, building temples in Egypt (e.g., Onias at Heliopolis, misapplying Isaiah 19:18-19). Ritual trumped true faith. Daniel's vision critiques this, echoing "no two masters."

Parthians rise (verse 10 upcoming), eroding Seleucid power.

Challenging Common Misinterpretations

Some scholars link these verses to earlier figures like Berenice and Ptolemy Euergetes (285–221 BC), ignoring "end of years" in Daniel 11:6. Others tie everything to Antiochus Epiphanes. But Daniel's milestones demand every word's scrutiny—history aligns precisely here.

Josephus, a historian not prophet, misapplied "abomination of desolation" to Epiphanes. Jesus in Matthew 24:15 points future. Trust prophetic vision over assumptions.

As we near modern times, let's approach with honesty: these aren't fairy tales but warnings for our era.

Page 28.

Chapter 29: 

Daniel Chapter 11: Verse 8 – 

A Clash of Kingdoms and Captives

In this verse from the Book of Daniel, the prophet continues his vision of the ongoing struggles between the "King of the North" (the Seleucid Dynasty in Syria) and the "King of the South" (the Ptolemaic Dynasty in Egypt). These prophecies, set against the backdrop of ancient Middle Eastern history, weave together real events with divine foresight. Here, we focus on Ptolemy IX Soter II (nicknamed "Lathyrus"), his mother Cleopatra III, the Jewish King Alexander Jannaeus, and the fading Seleucid power. This period spans roughly BC 107 to BC 64, a time of civil wars, shifting alliances, and brutal conquests in Syria, Palestine, and Egypt.

To make this complex narrative clearer, we'll break it down step by step: starting with the biblical verse, then exploring the historical actions, key interpretations, and broader implications. The goal is to simplify the tangled web of history and prophecy without losing its rich depth – think of it as untangling a knot while admiring the rope's craftsmanship.

The Biblical Verse and Its Immediate Connection

Daniel 11:8 (KJV): "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."

The word "also" links this verse directly to the previous one , meaning "in addition" or "in a similar way." It builds on the story of a "branch from her roots" – interpreted here as Ptolemy IX Lathyrus rising against his enemies. This isn't just dry history; it's a prophetic snapshot of power struggles that echo themes of pride, betrayal, and divine judgement.

Historical Backdrop: Civil War and Shifting Alliances

Picture the Middle East as a chessboard where Egypt (South) and Syria (North) are the main players, with Palestine caught in the middle. Ptolemy Lathyrus, exiled to Cyprus by his mother Cleopatra III, launches a bold campaign northward. He besieges the fortress of Ptolemais (modern-day Acre in Israel) and gets involved in Syria's civil war, supporting one claimant to the Seleucid throne while opposing his mother's allies.

Cleopatra III allies with Alexander Jannaeus, the King of the Jews in Palestine, and even employs Jewish generals in her Egyptian army. To protect her grandsons – Alexander II (later Ptolemy XI) and Auletes (later Ptolemy XII, father of the famous Cleopatra VII) – she sends them, along with a massive treasure, to the island of Cos for safekeeping. Historians debate Cos's location: some say it's an Aegean island near Asia Minor, others a spot near Egypt. Either way, it highlights the era's chaos – no one felt secure amid the wars engulfing North and South.

Lathyrus's alliance with Jannaeus sours quickly. In anger, he turns on Judea (Palestine), laying waste to the land. Drawing from Flavius Josephus's Antiquities of the Jews (Book XIII, page 400), we see the grim details:

"AND WHEN ALEXANDER UNDERSTOOD THIS TO BE PTOLEMY'S INTENTION, HE ALSO GOT TOGETHER ABOUT FIFTY THOUSAND SOLDIERS OUT OF HIS OWN COUNTRY; NAY AS SOME WRITERS HAVE SAID EIGHTY THOUSAND. HE THEN TOOK HIS ARMY, AND WENT TO MEET PTOLEMY; BUT PTOLEMY FELL UPON ASOCHIS, A CITY OF GALILEE, AND TOOK IT BY FORCE ON THE SABBATH DAY, AND THERE HE TOOK ABOUT TEN THOUSAND SLAVES, AND A GREAT DEAL OF OTHER PREY. -5- HE THEN TRIED TO TAKE SEPPHORIS, WHICH WAS A CITY NOT FAR FROM THAT WHICH WAS DESTROYED, BUT LOST MANY OF HIS MEN; YET DID HE THEN GO TO FIGHT WITH ALEXANDER; WHICH ALEXANDER MET HIM AT THE RIVER JORDAN, NEAR A CERTAIN PLACE CALLED SAPHOTH, (not far from the River Jordan) AND PITCHED HIS CAMP NEAR THE ENEMY. HE HAD HOWEVER EIGHT THOUSAND IN THE FIRST RANK, WHICH HE STYLED HECATONTOMACHI, HAVING SHIELDS OF BRASS. THOSE IN THE FIRST RANK OF PTOLEMY'S SOLDIERS ALSO HAD SHIELDS COVERED IN BRASS. BUT PTOLEMY'S SOLDIERS IN OTHER RESPECTS WERE INFERIOR TO THOSE OF ALEXANDER, AND THEREFORE WERE MORE FEARFUL OF RUNNING HAZARDS; BUT PHILOSTEPHANUS, THE CAMP-MASTER, PUT GREAT COURAGE INTO THEM, AND ORDERED THEM TO PASS THE RIVER, WHICH WAS BETWEEN THEIR CAMPS. NOR DID ALEXANDER THINK FIT TO HINDER THEIR PASSAGE OVER IT; FOR HE THOUGHT, THAT IF THE ENEMY HAD ONCE GOTTEN THE RIVER ON THEIR BACK, THAT HE SHOULD THE EASIER TAKE THEM PRISONERS, WHEN THEY COULD NOT FLEE OUT OF THE BATTLE: IN THE BEGINNING OF WHICH, THE ACTS ON BOTH SIDES, WITH THEIR HANDS, AND WITH THEIR ALACRITY, WERE ALIKE, AND A GREAT SLAUGHTER WAS MADE BY BOTH THE ARMIES; BUT ALEXANDER WAS SUPERIOR, TILL PHILOSTEPHANUS OPPORTUNELY BROUGHT UP THE AUXILIARIES, TO HELP THOSE THAT WERE GIVING WAY; BUT AS THERE WERE NO AUXILIARIES TO AFFORD HELP TO THAT PART OF THE JEWS THAT GAVE WAY, IT FELL OUT THAT THEY FLED, AND THOSE NEAR THEM DID NOT ASSIST THEM, BUT FLED ALONG WITH THEM. HOWEVER, PTOLEMY'S SOLDIERS ACTED QUITE OTHERWISE; FOR THEY FOLLOWED THE JEWS, AND KILLED THEM, TILL AT LENGTH THOSE THAT SLEW THEM PURSUED AFTER THEM WHEN THEY HAD MADE THEM ALL RUN AWAY, AND SLEW THEM SO LONG, THAT THEIR WEAPONS OF IRON WERE BLUNTED, AND THEIR HANDS QUITE TIRED WITH THE SLAUGHTER; FOR THE REPORT WAS, THAT THIRTY THOUSAND MEN WERE THEN SLAIN. TIMAGENES SAYS THEY WERE FIFTY THOUSAND. AS FOR THE REST, THEY WERE PART OF THEM TAKEN CAPTIVES, AND THE OTHER PART RAN AWAY TO THEIR OWN COUNTRY. -6- AFTER THIS VICTORY, PTOLEMY OVERRAN ALL THE COUNTRY; AND WHEN NIGHT CAME ON, HE ABODE IN CERTAIN VILLAGES OF JUDEA, WHICH WHEN HE FOUND FULL OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN, HE COMMANDED HIS SOLDIERS TO STRANGLE THEM, AND TO CUT THEM IN PIECES, AND THEN TO CAST THEM INTO BOILING CALDRONS, AND THEN TO DEVOUR THEIR LIMBS AS SACRIFICES. THIS COMMANDMENT WAS GIVEN, THAT SUCH AS LED FROM THE BATTLE, AND CAME TO THEM, MIGHT SUPPOSE THEIR ENEMIES WERE CANNIBALS; AND EAT MEN'S FLESH, AND MIGHT ON THAT ACCOUNT BE STILL MORE TERRIFIED AT THEM UPON SUCH A SIGHT. AND BOTH STRABO AND NICHOLAUS (of Damascus) AFFIRM, THAT THEY USED THESE PEOPLE AFTER THIS MANNER, AS I HAVE ALREADY RELATED. PTOLEMY ALSO TOOK PTOLEMAIS BY FORCE, AS WE HAVE DECLARED ELSEWHERE."

Lathyrus's forces slaughter up to 50,000 (per some accounts), capture 10,000 slaves from Galilee alone, and commit atrocities against civilians to spread terror. He overruns Judea, then returns to Egypt, hoping to reclaim his throne from his mother.

Interpreting the Key Elements: "Their Gods," Princes, and Treasures

The verse's phrasing – "carry captives into Egypt their gods" – might seem odd at first, like a missing "with." But remember, Daniel's visions are symbolic pictures, not perfect grammar. They're glimpses of swirling events, hiding layers of history until the "end times" reveal them fully.

• "Their Gods": This plural term points to more than statues; it includes anything worshipped or exalted. In this era, Greek religion blended with local cults everywhere – from Olympian gods to assimilated deities like Mithras (Iranian), Marduk (Babylonian), or Astarte (Syrian). Kings like the Ptolemies and Seleucids were deified too, with titles like "Soter" (Saviour) or "Epiphanes" (God Manifest). Many Jews, Hellenised over generations, adopted these practices despite Maccabean revolts. They served in Egyptian armies, flocked to Alexandria's learning centres, and even built a rival temple in Egypt (at Heliopolis, fulfilling Isaiah 19:18-19 in their eyes). Daniel's emphasis on "their" gods highlights how far the House of Judah had strayed, idolising Greek-Egyptian rulers and customs. Lathyrus carries back captives who essentially "belong" to these false gods, serving Egypt's throne over Israel's God.

• "With Their Princes": Princes aren't just royals like Jannaeus's sons (Aristobulus and Hyrcanus). They include the high priesthood, a noble lineage from Aaron (Daniel 1:1-3 echoes this with Daniel's own captivity). Josephus details the priesthood's aristocratic status in Antiquities (Book 20, Chapter 10), tracing 83 high priests from Aaron to the Roman era. Under Jannaeus, the priesthood was profane, mixed with Greek influences. Lathyrus likely captured priestly "princes" among his slaves – Josephus notes "a great deal of other prey," implying victims and spoils.

• "With Their Precious Vessels of Silver and of Gold": Judea was wealthy, with treasures in temples and towns. Josephus describes golden beams, cups, and vast sums in the Jerusalem Temple (Book 14, Chapter 7), contributed by Jews worldwide. Some treasures were stashed on Cos with Cleopatra's. We assume Lathyrus's "prey" included such vessels, fitting the verse's description, though direct records are sparse.

This isn't conjecture; it's piecing together Josephus's accounts with Daniel's words. The Jews under Jannaeus weren't holy – treachery and Hellenisation stained them, with only a "holy seed" preserving the line.

The Final Line: Outlasting the King of the North

"And he shall continue more years than the King of the North." Lathyrus dies in 81 BC, before Jannaeus (77 BC), and the Seleucids limp on until 64 BC. So, what's Daniel saying? It's a prophetic summary: Egypt's dynasty outlasts Syria's in influence over this region. The Seleucids fracture after Antiochus VII Sidetes's death in 129 BC, losing to Parthians and internal rivals. Two hostile branches (from Demetrius I and Alexander Balas) weaken them, paving the way for Roman annexation in 64 BC under Pompey.

Palestine falls first – its independence crumbles before Egypt's. From here, Daniel's "North" shifts northward to Roman power. This verse wraps the Greek thrones' story, focusing on Egypt's lingering role until Rome devours all .

Broader Implications: Prophecy Meets History

Daniel's visions aren't random; they're milestones guiding us through history toward Christ's era and beyond. Unlike scholars who pin these to earlier figures like Antiochus Epiphanes or Ptolemy Euergetes (e.g., Scofield Bible notes), we stick to every word: "end of years" .

This era warns against idolatry – worshipping rulers, cultures, or anything over God. As modern readers nearing the "end times," let's heed the call: ditch fairy tales for sober truth, facing our world's perils with wisdom. The interplay of history and prophecy shows God's sovereignty amid chaos, urging faithfulness over fleeting powers.

Page 29.

Chapter 30: 

Daniel Chapter 11: Verse 10 – 

Civil War in Palestine and the 

Rise of Roman Power (BC 168–63)

In this chapter of Daniel's prophecy, we dive into a pivotal moment where ancient predictions align perfectly with historical events. Daniel 11:10 describes internal strife in the Kingdom of Palestine (the "North" relative to Egypt) and the arrival of a dominant force that changes everything. We'll break it down step by step, linking the prophecy to real history involving the sons of the Maccabees, family rivalries, and the mighty Roman general Pompey. This verse builds on earlier ones, showing how the Seleucid dynasty in Syria ended, Egypt's king triumphed briefly, and now Palestine faces its own turmoil leading to Roman control.

To make this clearer, think of Daniel's prophecy as a roadmap of ancient Middle Eastern power struggles after Alexander the Great's empire split. It focuses on the "King of the North" (initially Syria, then shifting to Palestine) and the "King of the South" (Egypt). By verse 10, the spotlight returns to Palestine's Jewish kingdom under the Hasmonean (Maccabean) rulers, highlighting civil war and foreign invasion.

The Prophetic Verse Explained

Let's start with the verse itself from the King James Version (KJV) Bible: "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."

Daniel uses simple yet profound words to hide layers of history. This isn't just poetry—it's a precise forecast. The "his sons" refers to the heirs of the Jewish king in Palestine, "stirred up" into conflict. The "one" who comes is a standout figure who sweeps through like a flood. We'll unpack how this matches real events from 76–63 BC.

Backtracking to Palestine's Troubles

Remember, verses 6–9 covered the end of the Seleucid dynasty in Syria (the original "North") and Egypt's (the "South") brutal campaigns against Palestine. Verse 9 ends with Egypt's king returning home after victories. Now, verse 10 shifts back north with a "but," signalling: "Meanwhile, in Palestine..."

Palestine, caught in a tug-of-war between Syria, Egypt, and its own ambitions, faces internal collapse. After the death of King Alexander Jannaeus in 76 BC, his widow Queen Alexandra takes the throne as regent for nine chaotic years. She can't be high priest (as a woman), so she appoints her elder son Hyrcanus to that role. The younger son, Aristobulus, commands the army and craves the crown. He criticises his ageing mother (in her 70s and ill) as unfit to rule.

This sets the stage for sibling rivalry, but it's outsiders who really fan the flames—exactly as Daniel's "stirred up" implies (meaning incited to disorder).

The Sons Stirred Up: Civil War Ignites

The "sons shall be stirred up" points to Aristobulus and Hyrcanus clashing from 76–63 BC. Aristobulus seizes strongholds while his mother is sick, sparking open conflict. After Alexandra's death, war erupts at Jericho. Hyrcanus, a quiet man who prefers peace, flees to a citadel (later the Tower of Antonia), where Aristobulus's family is imprisoned.

They broker a shaky peace: Aristobulus becomes king but stays out of politics, while Hyrcanus lives privately. But enter the real "stirrer"—Antipater (an Idumean, father of the future Herod the Great). As a supposed friend of Hyrcanus, Antipater whispers fears: Aristobulus stole the throne unfairly, and Hyrcanus's life is in danger. He urges Hyrcanus to flee to Aretas, King of Arabia, promising help.

Hyrcanus escapes to Petra with Antipater's aid. In return, he vows to restore 12 cities Alexander Jannaeus took from the Arabs. Aretas rallies a massive army—50,000 strong—and invades Judea. They defeat Aristobulus, who flees to Jerusalem, and besiege the temple during Passover. Many Jews flee to Egypt.

Historian Flavius Josephus captures this "stirring up" vividly in Antiquities of the Jews (Book XIV, Chapter 1). He describes Antipater's scheming: stirring powerful Jews against Aristobulus, calumniating him daily, and convincing Hyrcanus to ally with Aretas. The result? Desertions, battles, and a siege where Arabs and Jews unite against Aristobulus, while priests defend him.

Daniel nails it: "they shall assemble a multitude of great forces." This means gathering huge armies—first the brothers' troops, then Aretas's 50,000, and soon even larger forces from Rome and Egypt.

Roman Shadows: Armies Grow and Forces Multiply

The "multitude of great forces" escalates. Egyptian troops aid Rome, seeking alliances. In Syria, Roman legions under Scaurus (Pompey's deputy) wait in Damascus. Both brothers bribe Scaurus for support; he sides with Aristobulus and orders Aretas out. Aristobulus attacks, killing 6,000, including Antipater's brother.

But nothing resolves until the "one" arrives—fulfilling "and one shall certainly come."

The "One" Who Overflows: Pompey the Great Enters

The standout "one" is Gnaeus Pompeius, or Pompey the Great—a Roman powerhouse in 63 BC. His name echoes from Rome to the Euphrates, rivalled only by Julius Caesar in Gaul. Daniel calls his arrival a "certainty"—a fixed fact of history.

Pompey "comes" into Palestine, "overflows" like a flood (spreading abundantly), and "passes through" (advancing across the land). His backstory: Rising in Rome after Sulla's death (78 BC), he crushes pirates in the Mediterranean (67 BC), then turns east against Parthia and others.

Parthia, a rising power, had replaced the Seleucids, controlling trade routes to China. Rome and Parthia eyed each other across the Euphrates. Pompey allies briefly with Parthian King Phraates III, conquers vassal states like Armenia, and marches through Syria—restoring order in Damascus, Apamea, and more.

In 64 BC, in Damascus, Pompey hears the brothers' pleas. He reverses Scaurus's decision, backing Hyrcanus. Aristobulus resists in Jerusalem, so Pompey marches in. He camps at Jericho, sieges the city (gates open mysteriously), then the temple for three months. With battering rams and Hyrcanus's help, Romans breach it, killing 12,000 Jews but sparing the temple's treasures.

Pompey restores Hyrcanus as high priest, imprisons Aristobulus and family, and makes Judea a Roman vassal under Syrian province (capital Antioch). The Hasmonean gains are lost; power shifts to Antipater under Roman oversight. Josephus laments in Antiquities (Book XIV, Chapter 4): The brothers' sedition cost Jewish liberty, forcing tribute and subjection to Rome.

Pompey doesn't linger—he "passes through," handing control to Scaurus with two legions, and hastens back to Rome with prisoners.

Return to the Fortress: Stirred Up in Rome

Finally, "then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress." Pompey's "fortress" is Rome. News of chaos there—plots by Catiline, failed coups, public discontent—stirs him to rush home.

Back in Rome (62 BC), Pompey disbands his army, enters triumphantly, but the Senate rejects his eastern deals. Furious, he forms the First Triumvirate (60 BC) with Caesar and Crassus: Pompey gets recognition, Caesar commands Gaul, Crassus seeks glory east (later looting Jerusalem's temple and dying against Parthia in 53 BC).

This "stirring up" in Rome seals Palestine's fate: Aristobulus dies poisoned in Rome, ending the Hasmonean dynasty. Syria and Palestine merge under Roman rule as the new "North." Egypt's drama looms next (verse 11), sparked by Caesar's ambitions—like a fake will annexing Egypt in 65 BC, which fails but foreshadows his rise.

Wrapping Up: Prophecy Meets History

Daniel 11:10 weaves prophecy with history seamlessly, showing God's foreknowledge. The civil war, massive armies, Pompey's sweep, and Rome's grip all unfold as predicted. It simplifies to: Family feud invites foreign powers, ending Jewish independence. Yet the depth remains—reminding us of power's fragility and divine oversight.

This sets the stage for Egypt's fall, blending history's threads into a tapestry of fulfilled prophecy. For more, explore the full chapter: Daniel 11.

Page 30.

Chapter 31: 

Daniel Chapter 11: Verse 11 – 

A Prophetic Lens on Ancient Turmoil

This chapter explores Daniel 11:11 from the King James Version of the Bible. It weaves together biblical prophecy and real-world history from around 44–30 BC, a time of chaos in Egypt, Judea, and Rome. We'll break it down step by step to make the complex story clearer and more engaging, focusing on how everyday power struggles in ancient empires fulfilled ancient visions. Think of it as a historical drama where kings, queens, and warriors clash, all seen through the prophet Daniel's eyes centuries earlier.

The Biblical Verse

As recorded in the KJV Bible: "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."

This verse paints a picture of anger-fueled battles between southern and northern powers, with vast armies clashing and ultimately falling into one leader's grasp. But who are these kings? The prophecy isn't just symbolic—it's tied to specific people and events in Judea (ancient Israel/Palestine), Egypt, and Rome. Let's unpack the history to see how it fits.

Setting the Scene: Turmoil in the Ancient World (53–44 BC)

Imagine a world in flux after the Roman general Pompey's conquests. In the previous verse , we saw Judea torn by internal fights between Hasmonean leaders like Hyrcanus and Aristobulus, leading to Roman intervention. Pompey seized Jerusalem in 63 BC, making Judea a Roman protectorate under Syria's capital, Antioch. A cunning Idumean named Antipater rose as Rome's administrator in Judea.

Now, verse 11 shifts to fresh troubles. It's not about world-famous figures like Julius Caesar (though he plays a backstory role), but those who directly impacted Judea. After Pompey's "overflow" of conquests, Julius Caesar chased him to Egypt in 48 BC, getting entangled in a civil war there. Caesar sided with Cleopatra VII against her brother-husband Ptolemy XIII, winning with help from Judean forces. He installed Cleopatra on the throne, married her to her younger brother Ptolemy XIV, and even fathered a son with her (Caesarion).

Back in Rome, Caesar's rivalry with Pompey escalated. In 49 BC, Caesar famously "crossed the Rubicon," defying the Senate and marching on Rome. Pompey fled to Greece, gathered forces from across the empire (including Egypt and the Middle East), but was defeated at Pharsalus in 48 BC. He escaped to Egypt, only to be assassinated by Ptolemy XIII's agents.

Caesar followed, got besieged in Egypt, but triumphed through clever tactics. Ptolemy XIII died, and Caesar rewarded Antipater with Roman citizenship for his aid—extending it to Antipater's sons, including Herod. By 44 BC, Caesar was emperor for life, but assassins stabbed him to death in the Senate, right at the base of Pompey's statue. This sparked more anarchy, pitting Mark Antony against Caesar's young heir, Octavian.

These civil wars created uncertainty, setting the stage for Daniel's vision: a "king of the south" rising in anger against a northern threat.

Who Is the "King of the South"?

The prophecy starts: "AND THE KING OF THE SOUTH SHALL BE MOVED WITH CHOLER, AND SHALL COME FORTH AND FIGHT WITH HIM."

Egypt's story in the Bible is long and intertwined with Judea's. By 41–40 BC, Cleopatra VII ruled, but she wasn't the true "king" here—Rome pulled the strings. Cleopatra shared the throne with her brothers (first Ptolemy XIII, then XIV), but the real power was Roman.

Enter Mark Antony as the "King of the South." A skilled soldier, orator, and Julius Caesar's ally, Antony took charge after Caesar's death. He turned Rome against the assassins with his famous funeral speech. Antony served in Judea, Syria, and Egypt under Gabinius (58–57 BC), fought in Gaul under Caesar (54–50 BC), and commanded at Pharsalus.

After Caesar's murder, Antony clashed with 19-year-old Octavian. They formed the Second Triumvirate in 43 BC with Lepidus, dividing the empire: Antony got the East, Lepidus Africa, Octavian Italy. Antony crushed Caesar's killers (Brutus and Cassius) at Philippi in 42 BC, while Octavian was ill.

Antony ruled the East, including Egypt. In 41 BC, he summoned Cleopatra to Tarsus to explain her neutrality in Roman civil wars. She arrived dramatically, but it was clear: Antony held authority. Smitten, he followed her to Egypt, gifting her Roman territories like parts of Syria and Judea. By sitting on Egypt's golden throne, Antony ruled Egypt both as a Roman emperor and through his alliance with Cleopatra—making him the prophetic "King of the South."

Why hide this in prophecy? Daniel's visions were sealed until the "end times," revealing truths to guide believers.

The Northern Threat and the Clash (40–37 BC)

The verse continues: "EVEN WITH THE KING OF THE NORTH; AND HE SHALL SET FORTH A GREAT MULTITUDE, BUT THE MULTITUDE SHALL BE GIVEN INTO HIS HAND."

Northern powers like the Parthians (from modern Iran) exploited Roman infighting. By 40 BC, they invaded Roman Syria and Judea, bringing Antigonus II (son of Hasmonean king Aristobulus II) as a puppet. Antigonus promised them 1,000 talents and 500 noble women for the throne.

Antony, reconciled with Octavian and married to his sister Octavia, had named Herod and his brother Phasael as Judea's tetrarchs. The Parthians crowned Antigonus king, capturing Hyrcanus (high priest and Antigonus' uncle), mutilating his ears to disqualify him from priesthood, and killing Phasael after his suicide attempt.

Herod fled to Egypt, then Rome, appealing to Antony and the Senate. They declared Antigonus an enemy and made Herod king in 39 BC—separating Judea from Syria, with Jerusalem as capital.

Herod, fueled by "choler" (anger) over his brother's death, lost glory, and Parthian invasion, fought back. Earlier, in 43 BC, Antigonus tried seizing Judea but was repelled. Now, with Roman backing, Herod returned.

The "King of the North" here is the Parthians under Antigonus, setting forth a "great multitude." But this multitude was "given into his hand"—Herod's, through Roman might.

Herod's Victory and the Fulfillment

Herod landed at Ptolemais, marched through Galilee, and fought fiercely. Antony sent generals Ventidius and Sosius to aid him. Battles were brutal: Herod's brother Joseph died, his body beheaded by Antigonus. Herod cleared mountain caves of robbers using soldiers lowered in baskets, killing with darts and fire.

Parthian prince Pacorus fell; Antony advanced from the Euphrates. Herod met him near Antioch, earning respect. Sosius helped storm Jerusalem in 37 BC amid slaughter—Romans raged after a long siege, ignoring Herod's pleas for mercy.

Antigonus surrendered, begging at Sosius' feet, who mocked him as "Antigone" (womanly) and bound him. Herod, fearing Antigonus might appeal to Rome as royal blood, bribed Antony to execute him. Antony beheaded Antigonus in Antioch—the first such act for a king—to quell Jewish support and secure Herod.

Historian Flavius Josephus details the cruelty: massacres, bribes, and Antigonus' desperate end. Jewish fondness for their Hasmonean king persisted, but Herod's cunning and Roman power prevailed.

Thus, the multitude (Parthians, Jews under Antigonus) fell into Herod's hands. He became "Herod the Great," king of the south (Judea under Roman/Egyptian influence), ending the Hasmonean dynasty and starting the Herodian one.

Tying It All Together: Prophecy Meets History

In this era, "north" and "south" shift: Judea sometimes aligned south (with Egypt/Rome) or north (Syria/Parthians). Mark Antony oversees as overall imperator, but Herod embodies the southern king in anger. Cleopatra, though influential, lacks Roman citizenship and relies on seduction—failing with Herod and later Octavian.

This verse spills into the next , showing power's ebb and flow. Daniel's prophecy, veiled for ages, reveals how human ambition and divine foresight intersect, urging reflection on truth in turbulent times. 

Page 31.

Chapter 32

Daniel 11:12-

The Slaughter of the Jews: 

Antony, Herod, Octavian 

and Judea (38–32 BC).

Daniel 11:12 continues the story of Judea and Egypt after the war against Antigonus. The verse says:

“And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands; but he shall not be strengthened by it.”

This verse is still speaking about the King of the South (Mark Antony). He had defeated the Parthians in the north and Antigonus, the last Hasmonean king of Judea.

The phrase “taken away the multitude” does not mainly mean capturing prisoners. In this context it points to killing huge numbers of people – consuming and squandering human life. That is exactly what happened.

Mark Antony, ruler of the eastern (southern) half of the Roman world, kept the killing going – sometimes through Herod, sometimes on his own whim.

It had all started years earlier. When Antony, Octavian and Lepidus formed the Second Triumvirate after Julius Caesar’s murder, they drew up death lists (“proscriptions”). Anyone whose name appeared lost their property and their life. More than 300 senators were killed, including the famous orator Cicero (Antony’s personal enemy), along with about 2,000 knights and others. The three leaders even bargained with one another, trading relatives and friends to be added to the lists. A slight offence – or simply being a friend of an enemy – was enough to get a man killed.

So when it came to Judea, slaughter was nothing new to Antony.

The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus describes the terrible things the Jews suffered after Herod, backed by Antony, took Jerusalem (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 15). Herod stripped the city of royal treasures and robbed rich men of everything they owned. He handed the silver and gold to Antony and his friends. He executed forty-five leading supporters of Antigonus and posted guards at the gates so nothing could be carried out – not even with the dead bodies. Soldiers searched the corpses for valuables.

There was no end to the misery. Part of it came from Herod’s greed (he always needed more money), and part from the Sabbatical Year, when fields had to lie fallow and food was scarce.

Josephus records many massacres that match the “many ten thousands” of Daniel 11:12:

• After Antigonus’s defeat, Herod captured five cities, killed 2,000 people and burnt the towns because he was angry about his brother’s death.

• In one dreadful scene, soldiers hiding in houses were buried when Herod’s men pulled the roofs down on them; then they were stoned as they lay in heaps. Josephus calls it the most frightful sight of the whole war.

• When Jerusalem finally fell after a five-month siege, Herod’s men and Roman troops poured in and slaughtered people of every age in the narrow streets, in houses and even in the Temple.

Even Cleopatra joined in the killing. Josephus tells us she had already murdered most of her own family, then slandered leading men in Syria to Antony so he would execute them and she could seize their wealth. She also tried (though she failed) to have Antony order the deaths of Herod and the Arab king Malichus.

In pockets all across the south – Judea, Syria, Egypt – men were dying. Then, in the seventh year of Herod’s reign, a massive earthquake struck Judea and buried another 10,000 people under their houses.

All this matched the words “his heart shall be lifted up”. Antony truly believed he was above everyone. He loved playing the god-king in Egypt. In 34 BC, after conquering Armenia, he staged a grand triumph – not in Rome, but in Alexandria. He and Cleopatra sat on golden thrones. She was proclaimed “Queen of Kings”, and her children (including Caesarion, Julius Caesar’s son) were given huge Roman territories. It looked as if Antony was moving the centre of the Roman world from Rome to Alexandria.

He gave Cleopatra slices of Judea (including rich Jericho with its palm and balsam groves) and parts of Arabia and Syria. He needed Egypt’s money and grain for his wars, especially the failed invasion of Parthia in 36 BC.

But the last part of Daniel 11:12 says: “he shall not be strengthened by it”.

Antony’s pride and all his victories did not make him stronger in the end.

By 34 BC the Triumvirate had fallen apart. Lepidus was sidelined, and the split between Antony in the east and Octavian in the west was plain for all to see. Octavian was furious that Antony had divorced his sister Octavia and was giving away Roman land to Cleopatra and her children.

In 32 BC Antony formally divorced Octavia. Octavian cleverly declared war on Cleopatra, not Antony, so he could paint her as the foreign enemy. Many Roman senators fled to Antony’s side, but Octavian was winning the propaganda battle back in Italy. He spread stories, forged (or claimed to have found) Antony’s will that left huge gifts to Cleopatra’s children, and reminded Romans that Antony was acting more like an Egyptian king than a Roman leader.

Octavian rebuilt Rome with grand buildings, married into old noble families, and linked himself to the god Apollo. He struck coins calling himself “son of a god” (meaning the deified Julius Caesar). Slowly but surely he turned Roman opinion against Antony.

Herod stayed loyal to Antony and prepared for war. Judea once again braced itself for invading armies.

Antony might have killed tens of thousands and sat on a golden throne with his heart “lifted up” in pride, but he was not strengthened by it. His power was slipping away to the younger, colder, more cunning Octavian.

Exactly as Daniel 11:12 foretold.

Page 32.

Chapter 33: 

Daniel Chapter 11, Verse 13: 

The Rise of Roman Power in the Middle East

This section of Daniel's prophecy dives into a pivotal moment in ancient history, blending biblical foresight with real-world events. It marks the shift from Egyptian dominance in the south to the overwhelming might of Rome from the north. We'll break it down step by step, linking the prophetic words to the dramatic saga of Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian (who became Augustus Caesar). The focus is on Rome's "return" to control Judea and Egypt, ending the Ptolemaic dynasty and setting the stage for imperial rule. Think of it as a historical thriller where prophecy unfolds through wars, betrayals, and power grabs—all while preserving the deep spiritual insights of the original text.

The Prophetic Verse Explained

Daniel 11:13 (KJV) states: "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."

This verse isn't just about a literal king marching back—it's a prophetic snapshot of Rome's expanding empire. Here, the "King of the North" shifts from earlier powers like the Seleucids or Parthians to represent Roman authority centred in Rome itself, north-west of Judea. By this point in the prophecy (from verse 13 onwards), we're entering the era of the "iron legs" from Nebuchadnezzar's dream idol in Daniel 2—symbolising Rome's unyielding strength that would dominate for centuries, including over the Jewish people in Judea.

Egypt, once a mighty "southern" kingdom, is fading as a independent power. Meanwhile, Judea (now the focal "southern" territory) is rising under King Herod, but it's increasingly under Roman thumb. The verse signals Rome's "return" to reclaim the Middle East, after earlier incursions like Pompey's invasion in verse 10.

Rome's "Return" to the Region

The "King of the North shall return" refers to Octavian, Julius Caesar's adopted heir, who by 31 BC had the full support of the Roman Senate and people as Imperator Caesar. This isn't a personal comeback for Octavian but a resurgence of true Roman power from the heart of Rome—not from splintered eastern bases like those controlled by Antony.

Earlier Roman entries into Judea differed:

• Pompey (verse 10) invaded as a representative of the Roman Republic's Senate, not as a king or emperor.

• Antony (verses 11-12) ruled the East personally, allied with Cleopatra, making Egypt his power base rather than Rome.

Rome was transitioning from a republic (no single king, ruled by the Senate) to an empire. Julius Caesar pushed for dictatorship, but it was Octavian who solidified it. By verse 13, Roman legions are marching back into Judea and Egypt under a unified, king-like leader—Octavian—reasserting control over provinces that Antony and Cleopatra had claimed as their own.

Herod, as Judea's king, was initially a regent loyal to Antony, not directly to Rome. But with Octavian's rise, the power dynamics shifted. These were turbulent years of Roman civil wars and realignments, culminating in Octavian forging a lasting peace by holding all reins: west, east, north, and south.

Building a Massive Force: The Lead-Up to Conflict

The verse continues: "AND SHALL SET FORTH A MULTITUDE GREATER THAN THE FORMER." This describes the enormous armies assembled for the showdown between Octavian's Roman forces and those of Antony and Cleopatra.

Previous verses (10-12) mentioned large multitudes in earlier battles. Now, an even greater force is mobilising for all-out war—winner takes the entire Roman world. This sets the stage for the famous Battle of Actium in 31 BC.

Historical records paint a vivid picture: Octavian and Antony, once allies in the Second Triumvirate, became rivals. Antony, based in Egypt with Cleopatra, controlled the East, including Judea and Syria. Herod answered to him, and Cleopatra influenced much of the wealth and territory.

Tensions built over years:

• By 34 BC, the Triumvirate split openly.

• In 32 BC, it dissolved entirely.

• Octavian unleashed propaganda against Antony, portraying him as bewitched by the "foreign" Cleopatra, eroding his support in Rome.

The "multitude" clashed at Actium, off Greece's coast. Antony had about 220 heavy ships equipped with missile launchers, plus large land armies. Octavian countered with 260 lighter, more manoeuvrable vessels, commanded by his admiral Marcus Agrippa.

Agrippa struck first, capturing Antony's land bases and trapping his fleet in the Gulf of Ambracia. The sea battle was decisive: Octavian's fleet outmanoeuvred Antony's, annihilating most of his ships. Antony's land forces surrendered, morale shattered—partly due to Cleopatra's controversial presence on the battlefield, which alienated his Roman allies.

Cleopatra fled with her 60 ships and treasury back to Egypt. Antony followed, but their defeat was total. This "multitude greater than the former" marked the end of their challenge to Roman unity.

The Inevitable Conquest: After Certain Years

The verse wraps up: "AND SHALL CERTAINLY COME AFTER CERTAIN YEARS WITH A GREAT ARMY AND WITH MUCH RICHES."

"Certainly come" emphasises inevitability—prophecy declaring that this will happen without doubt. "Certain years" indicates a timeline of escalating rivalry leading to conquest.

History echoes this certainty: The clash between Octavian and Antony was unavoidable. Rome couldn't be ruled by two strongmen; one had to prevail. Their rivalry simmered for years—verbal barbs and propaganda from 34 BC, open split in 32 BC, Actium in 31 BC, and finally, Octavian's invasion of Egypt in 30 BC.

Octavian's great army marched into Alexandria, overwhelming Egyptian resistance. Antony stabbed himself to avoid capture. Cleopatra, aged 39 and queen for 22 years (11 with Antony), died by snakebite (or poison), found adorned in finery on a golden bed. Octavian executed her son Caesarion (Ptolemy XV) to eliminate threats.

In Judea and Syria, Jewish historian Josephus details Octavian's entry. Herod, fearing payback for siding with Antony, met Octavian in Syria, pleaded his case, and won mercy through clever words and lavish gifts. He entertained the army royally, providing provisions, wine, water, and 800 talents of silver. As they headed to Egypt via the desert, Herod escorted them with 150 elite men.

On the return from Egypt, Herod's aid continued. Octavian forgave him, reaffirmed him as king of the Jews (deeming him ideal for Roman interests), and ordered sacrifices in Jerusalem's Temple at his expense. Over time, he restored lands Cleopatra had seized, granted Herod control over Palestine, Trans-Jordan, southern Lebanon, and southern Syria (20-22 BC), plus half the Cyprus copper mines. State visits between them strengthened ties—Herod visited Italy twice, and Agrippa and Octavian came to Judea.

The Riches of Conquest and Empire

The "much riches" highlight Octavian's windfall from victory. With Egypt, Syria, and Judea absorbed into Rome's "vortex," Octavian (now Caesar Augustus) controlled vast wealth.

Egypt's treasures were key: Seizing Antony and Cleopatra's hoard—including golden thrones and beds—funded payoffs to his veterans, securing loyalty. Egypt, organised under Ptolemaic bureaucracy, became Rome's granary and source of exotic goods. Augustus treated it as personal property, barring senators without permission to prevent another Antony-style grab. Its revenues blurred with his own; he boasted paying state taxes from his "patrimony" for up to 100,000 people.

Syria and Judea added more: Herod's gifts and tributes flowed in as Octavian passed through.

As emperor, Augustus reorganised the empire—army, navy, roads, Senate, and taxes. Revenues from across the lands filled Rome's treasury, with new coinage minted. He posed as a simple, peace-loving Italian but held autocratic power, becoming Pontifex Maximus (chief priest) and, in 2 BC, "Father of his Country." Upon death in 14 AD, he was deified.

This era ties directly to the New Testament. Luke 2:1-5 (KJV) shows the "riches" in action through taxation: Luke 2:1: "AND IT CAME TO PASS IN THOSE DAYS, THAT THERE WENT OUT A DECREE FROM CAESAR AUGUSTUS, THAT ALL THE WORLD SHOULD BE TAXED." Luke 2:2: "(AND THIS TAXING WAS FIRST MADE WHEN CYRENIUS WAS GOVERNOR OF SYRIA)." Luke 2:3: "AND ALL WENT TO BE TAXED, EVERYONE INTO HIS OWN CITY." Luke 2:4: "AND JOSEPH ALSO WENT UP FROM GALILEE, OUT OF THE CITY OF NAZARETH, INTO JUDEA, UNTO THE CITY OF DAVID, WHICH IS CALLED BETHLEHEM; (because he was of the House and lineage of David);" Luke 2:5: "TO BE TAXED WITH MARY HIS ESPOUSED WIFE, BEING GREAT WITH CHILD."

This decree, funding Rome's riches, led to Jesus' birth in Bethlehem—prophecy and history intertwining once more.

In summary, Daniel 11:13 captures Rome's triumphant "return," ending Egypt's throne and vassal status while embedding Judea in the empire. It's a tale of inevitable power shifts, vast riches, and divine foresight, all playing out in the lives of larger-than-life figures.

Page 33.

Chapter 34

Daniel 11:14

Herod–Judea–Octavian–Rome– 

Jesus the Christ (c. 4 BC – AD 31)

Let us now look closely at a very important verse – Daniel 11:14 (KJV):

“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.”

This verse is set firmly in the era of Caesar Augustus (Octavian) and King Herod the Great of Judea. The opening words “in those times” tie it directly to the period we have just examined in verse 13, when Octavian became the unchallenged ruler of the Roman world and confirmed Herod as the absolute king of Judea, answerable only to himself.

Herod the Great – the “King of the South”

Herod, an Idumean by birth, ruled Judea from 37 BC until his death in 4 BC – a reign of about 33 years. Secular historians call him “Herod the Great” because Rome regarded him so highly. In Bible prophecy, at this moment in history, he is the “king of the south”.

The prophecy says “many shall stand up against the king of the south”. At first glance this seems strange. Herod had Rome’s full backing – who would dare oppose him? Yet when we study his life, we see he was surrounded by enemies and plots on every side. The constant pressure eventually drove him mad.

• He wiped out almost the entire Hasmonean royal family (the previous Jewish ruling house) because they had a stronger claim to the throne. He murdered the aged Hyrcanus II, his own wife Mariamne (whom he loved), her mother Alexandra, and her young brother Aristobulus – even his own sons by Mariamne.

• The Pharisees and Sadducees never accepted him as a true Jew and caused endless political trouble.

• Cleopatra of Egypt intrigued against him until her death in 30 BC removed that threat.

• Later, Arab tribes on his borders raided constantly, forcing him to build a chain of frontier fortresses.

• Inside his palace, his ten wives, numerous children, and ambitious courtiers plotted endlessly against one another.

• Above all, the Jewish people lived in hope of the promised Messiah from the House of David. Herod lived in terror that a rightful “King of the Jews” would appear and take his throne. This fear led directly to the massacre of the infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2).

By the end of his life almost everyone – Jews, Arabs, even members of his own family – was “against” him. When he died, the whole country rejoiced.

The Second Part of the Verse

“…also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.”

Who were these “robbers of thy people”?

In this historical setting they are clearly the Romans. Before Judea came fully under direct Roman governors (like Pontius Pilate), Roman armies and officials repeatedly plundered the land. They stripped the Temple of its gold, imposed crushing taxes, confiscated estates, and treated the people like sheep to be sheared or slaughtered. Rome had also set an Idumean (Herod) over God’s people and taken away their native priests and leaders.

They “exalt themselves to establish the vision”

Octavian (Caesar Augustus) did exactly that. After defeating Antony and Cleopatra, the young and once-sickly Octavian:

• proclaimed himself the son of the deified Julius Caesar,

• accepted the title “Augustus” (“the revered one”),

• took the ancient religious office of Pontifex Maximus (chief priest of Rome),

• turned himself into a living god whom all must worship.

In the eyes of Rome this was simply exalting a man to the highest dignity. The Senate even renamed the month Sextilis as “August” in his honour. Rome believed it had permanently “established” its own divine emperor and its vision of world rule.

Yet at the very same time, in a lowly stable in Bethlehem of Judea, the true Son of God and eternal High Priest was born – Jesus the Messiah. Rome, without realising it, had “established the vision” of prophecy by setting up its false version of the Son of God and High Priest, so that the genuine One could be revealed in stark contrast.

“But they shall fall”

The word “they” is plural – it includes both Herod and the Roman imperial system that exalted itself.

• Herod’s dynasty collapsed almost immediately after his death. His kingdom was divided, his will overturned, and within a generation his family was banished or dead.

• The mighty Roman Empire that claimed eternal dominion is now ruins and museum pieces.

• The proud city that boasted it had turned brick into marble was itself sacked and reduced to rubble in later centuries.

Herod fell. Caesar Augustus fell. Imperial Rome fell.

But the true “Vision” – Jesus Christ, the genuine King and High Priest – rose from the dead and lives for ever.

Daniel 11:14 was fulfilled with astonishing accuracy in the very years that Jesus walked the earth. The robbers exalted themselves, they set up their false vision of a divine emperor, and they fell – just as God said they would. Meanwhile the real King, the real Son of God, the real High Priest between God and man, was born, lived, died, and rose again – and His kingdom shall never be destroyed.

Page 34.

Chapter 35: 

Daniel Chapter 11: Verse 15 – 

Unpacking the Prophecy

In this chapter, we delve into Daniel 11:15 from the KJV Bible, linking it to a pivotal era in Roman history: the Jewish War from AD 66 to 70. This verse prophetically describes the devastating siege of Jerusalem under Roman leaders Nero, Vespasian, and Titus. We'll break it down step by step, blending biblical prophecy with historical facts to make it clearer and more relatable. Think of it as a bridge between ancient scripture and real-world events – a story of empire, rebellion, and divine warnings that shaped the fate of Judea (the southern land often called the "South" in this context).

The verse reads: "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."

At first glance, it might seem cryptic, like putting the cart before the horse – starting with the outcome before the backstory. But it pinpoints a specific time: the Roman siege of Jerusalem. The "King of the North" refers to Roman commanders from the northern empire, invading the southern land of Judea. Let's unpack this with clear sections, drawing on history to show how prophecy played out exactly as foretold.

The "King of the North" Arrives: Vespasian's Invasion

The prophecy begins with "the King of the North shall come and cast up a mount." This "mount" wasn't a hill – it was a massive earthen rampart or wall built by Roman forces to trap Jerusalem during the siege (AD 67–70). Vespasian, a seasoned Roman general sent by Emperor Nero, embodies this "King of the North." He arrived in Judea in AD 66 to crush ongoing Jewish revolts.

Why the revolts? Judea had been simmering with tension under Roman rule. Earlier emperors like Augustus (Octavian) and Tiberius showed some tolerance, but things escalated under mad rulers like Caligula, who demanded his statue in the Temple – a massive insult to Jewish faith. By Nero's reign (AD 54–68), corruption, heavy taxes, and cultural clashes boiled over. Jewish groups like the Zealots pushed for armed resistance.

Historian Carl Roebuck captures this chaos in The World of Ancient Times (p. 613): "The Roman purpose in Judea was similar [to Egypt] to keep order, but there the problem was far more complex. The Jews were themselves divided on religious issues of their own faith, in their attitudes to Hellenisation and by social conflict between the farmers and shepherds and the rich landowners and the merchants of the cities. The Romans worked with the wealthy Hellenising Jews, supporting that element in the Sanhedrin and for the high priesthood. Accordingly, the Jews of the lower class, hostile to their own administrators, automatically transferred their hatred to the Romans."

Nero, facing open revolt in AD 66, dispatched Vespasian – a veteran who'd battled Israelite tribes from Britain to the Middle East. Vespasian commanded vast legions, drawing troops from Egypt, Syria, and beyond. This marked a new "season" for Judea, distinct from earlier prophecies in verses 13–14, which covered Augustus, Herod, and Jesus' era.

Jesus' Forewarning: A Prophecy Within a Prophecy

Jesus Himself predicted this horror decades earlier, weeping over Jerusalem in Luke 19:41–44: "AND WHEN HE WAS COME NEAR, HE BEHELD THE CITY, AND WEPT OVER IT, SAYING, IF THOU HADST KNOWN, EVEN THOU, AT LEAST IN THIS THY DAY, THE THINGS WHICH BELONG UNTO THY PEACE! BUT NOW THEY ARE HID FROM THINE EYES. FOR THE DAYS SHALL COME UPON THEE, THAT THINE ENEMIES SHALL CAST A TRENCH ABOUT THEE, AND COMPASS THEE ROUND, AND KEEP THEE IN ON EVERY SIDE, AND SHALL LAY THEE EVEN WITH THE GROUND, AND THY CHILDREN WITHIN THEE; AND THEY SHALL NOT LEAVE IN THEE ONE STONE UPON ANOTHER; BECAUSE THOU KNEWEST NOT THE TIME OF THY VISITATION."

Notice the "trench" – that's the same as Daniel's "mount." It was a deep ditch with piled earth forming a defensive wall, trapping the city like a sealed bottle. Jesus warned of total destruction, linking directly to Daniel's words. This wasn't just war; it was divine judgement foretold.

The Siege of Jerusalem: Horror and Destruction

By AD 70, Vespasian had become emperor, leaving his son Titus in charge. Titus marched on Jerusalem with an overwhelming force: 80,000 men from four legions, plus cavalry and engineers – dwarfing armies like Alexander the Great's (32,000) or Julius Caesar's (25,000).

Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, an eyewitness and former Jewish commander turned Roman captive, describes the nightmare in Wars of the Jews (Book V, Chapter XII, condensed): Titus decided to build a massive wall around the city to starve the Jews out. The army, fueled by "divine fury," completed a 40-furlong (about 8 km) wall with 13 garrisons in just three days – a feat that should have taken months. This "circumvallatio" sealed Jerusalem hermetically, cutting off escape.

Inside, famine ravaged the city, swollen with Passover pilgrims. Houses became graves; streets filled with swollen, dying bodies. Robbers plundered the dead, even testing swords on corpses. Josephus recounts Titus groaning at valleys choked with rotting bodies, calling God to witness it wasn't his doing.

Earlier attempts at surrender failed. Titus paraded his gleaming troops for four days, hoping to intimidate. He even sent Josephus to plead with the Jews, calling them "obdurate creatures more unfeeling than these very stones." But defiance held. Romans used battering rams, crucified captured Jews (500 a day until wood ran out), and stripped the land bare – vineyards, olives, and the Mount of Olives denuded.

In August AD 70, the Temple burned despite Titus' orders. The city was razed, leaving only three towers and a western wall for a Roman garrison (the Tenth Legion stayed six years). Historian Tacitus estimated 600,000 in the city; Josephus counted 97,000 prisoners and over 1 million dead overall. In AD 71, Titus and Vespasian paraded Temple treasures (like the golden candlesticks) through Rome – still visible on the Arch of Titus today.

For a gripping summary, see Dr. Werner Keller's The Bible as History.

Conquering the Fenced Cities: The South Falls

The verse continues: "and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the South shall not withstand." "Fenced cities" mean fortified strongholds protected by walls, ditches, mountains, or hedges. Vespasian systematically captured Judea's defences before Jerusalem.

From Josephus (Wars of the Jews, Book III onward, condensed): Vespasian entered from Syria, joined by King Agrippa and Titus from Alexandria. They took Sepphoris peacefully, then Gadara by storm, slaughtering inhabitants and burning outskirts. Jotapata, a cliffside fortress, held out under Josephus' command but fell after a brutal siege with 160 engines hurling stones (one decapitated a man, flinging his head 600 metres). 40,000 slain; 1,200 captives. Nearby Japha: 15,000 killed, 2,130 enslaved.

Samaritans on Mount Gerizim: 11,600 massacred. Joppa taken twice; Tiberias and Taricheae surrendered or fell. Gamala and Gischala resisted fiercely but collapsed. Even after Nero's death (AD 68), amid Roman civil war (Galba, Otho, Vitellius), Vespasian took Bethel, Ephraim, Hebron (burned after slaying young men), and more. Fortresses like Herodium, Masada, and Machaerus awaited later falls.

Judea's "arms" – defences, weapons, fighters – proved futile against Rome's might. As Daniel said, no strength withstood.

The Chosen People: No Strength to Resist

Finally: "neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand." This sums up the tragedy for God's "chosen people" – the descendants of Abraham, selected for faith and obedience (Deuteronomy 14:2: "FOR THOU ART AN HOLY PEOPLE UNTO THE LORD THY GOD, AND THE LORD HATH CHOSEN THEE TO BE A PECULIAR PEOPLE UNTO HIMSELF, ABOVE ALL THE NATIONS THAT ARE UPON THE EARTH").

These "chosen" split into two houses: Judah (Jews, fleshly line of Jacob) and Israel (spiritual line through Joseph, scattered among Gentiles). See Jeremiah 33:24: "THE TWO FAMILIES WHICH THE LORD HATH CHOSEN." Both faced Roman wrath.

In Judea, Jews suffered carnage as punishment for rebellion . Survivors – captives, escapees, peacemakers – preserved the line.

But "chosen people" extends to early Christians, including Israelite descendants among Gentiles. Under Nero, persecutions peaked after Rome's AD 64 fire. Christians, seen as a "mischievous superstition" (Tacitus), became scapegoats. Tacitus (Annals XV, 44) describes: Covered in beast skins and torn by dogs; crucified or burned as torches in Nero's gardens.

Apostles Paul and Peter, "chosen sons of God," likely died then. Paul, a Roman citizen, beheaded; Peter crucified. From Carl Roebuck (p. 680): Christians were rejected for religious exclusiveness, secret meetings (misread as orgies), and refusal of state worship.

Yet prophecy promises redemption. Jesus, the "Light to the Gentiles" .

This era's horror – no withstanding strength – highlights divine plans weaving through history, redeeming the chosen despite punishment.

Page 35.

Chapter 36: 

Daniel Chapter 11, Verse 16 – 

The Bar-Kokhba Revolt

Introduction to the Verse and Its Historical Context

This verse marks the end of the "Kingdom of the South" – Judea – in Daniel's prophecy. It wraps up the intertwined stories of Syria, Egypt, and the land of Judah under Roman rule, the "little horn" that grew powerful. Drawing from both biblical prophecy and historical records, we see Rome's dominance play out in the events of AD 132–135.

The verse reads: Daniel 11:16 – "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."

The word "But" signals a continuation – "yet," "however," or "except" – from the previous verse's destruction of Jerusalem. It points to another chapter in Judea's story under the King of the North (Rome), even after earlier devastations.

Identifying the Key Figures

In this prophecy, "he" represents Roman power, embodied by Emperor Hadrian (reigned AD 117–138) and his commander, Julius Severus. This "he" acts with unstoppable will against "him" – the Jewish leader Bar-Kokhba (also known as Barchochebas, meaning "Son of the Star").

• Emperor Hadrian: A strong-willed ruler, adopted as heir by Trajan. He reorganised Roman provinces, built famous structures like Hadrian's Wall in Britain (73.5 miles long, 6 feet high, and 8 feet thick), and travelled widely to inspect his empire. In Judea, he planned to rebuild Jerusalem as a Roman city called Aelia Capitolina, complete with baths, an arena, and a temple to Jupiter on the site of Solomon's Temple. This ignored Jewish sensitivities and aimed to assimilate them into Roman culture.

• Julius Severus: Hadrian's general, summoned from Britain to crush the revolt. He led 35,000 troops in a methodical campaign of total warfare, isolating groups, starving them, and destroying everything in his path.

• Bar-Kokhba: The "him" in the verse, a self-proclaimed Messiah who rallied Jews against Rome. Seen as the long-awaited deliverer, he gathered a formidable army, drawing on ancient oracles promising freedom.

The "will" here means unyielding determination – Hadrian's policies and Severus's tactics ensured nothing could stop Rome.

Hadrian's Reign and Policies

Hadrian was one of Rome's "five good emperors" (along with Nerva, Trajan, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius), a time when the empire reached its peak. A capable administrator, he secured borders through treaties or personal interventions, like against Germanic tribes. He unified the vast empire into a near-commonwealth.

But Judea was a persistent problem. Hadrian banned key Jewish practices: circumcision, Torah reading, Sabbath observance, festivals, teaching the Law, and rabbi ordinations – all under penalty of death. His goal? Enforced assimilation to strengthen the empire under one culture. This sparked outrage, seen as an attack on Judaism itself.

The Spark and Course of the Revolt (AD 132–135)

After Jerusalem's fall in AD 70, Jews shifted centres to places like Antioch, Ephesus, and Rome, with synagogues replacing the Temple. Yet, enough remained in Judea to rebel when Hadrian began rebuilding Jerusalem in Greco-Roman style.

• Build-Up: Jewish Zealots harassed Roman forces, refusing taxes to an "idolatrous" ruler. Rebellions in Egypt, Cyrene, and Cyprus (AD 115–116) were crushed harshly, but Judea erupted in AD 132, catching Romans off guard. They briefly abandoned the area.

• The War: Bar-Kokhba led a unified, carefully planned army. Jews retook Jerusalem, reinstated sacrifices, minted coins celebrating liberation, and wiped out the Roman 22nd Legion from Egypt. Rabbi Akiva, a revered scholar, hailed Bar-Kokhba as the Messiah ("Son of the Star"). Akiva, once an illiterate shepherd who became a master teacher at 40, organised the Oral Law logically and died defiantly under torture, reciting the Shema Yisrael.

Jewish Christians who refused to fight were scorned. Scholars like Akiva were arrested, tortured, or executed – one burned alive wrapped in Torah scrolls, another beheaded.

• Roman Response: Hadrian sent Severus, who avoided direct sieges. Instead, he used attrition: intercepting groups, cutting supplies, and wearing them down over two years. This "manhunt" exterminated much of Judea's Jewish population.

The Devastation and Aftermath

The verse's phrase "NONE SHALL STAND BEFORE HIM" foretells Judea's doom – no one or nothing escapes. "Shall stand" implies defence, but "none" means total defeat.

The revolt ended in summer AD 135. Romans reported destroying 50 fortresses and 985 villages, killing 580,000 Jews in battles, plus countless from starvation, fire, and disease. Roman losses were heavy; Hadrian omitted the usual victory salute to the Senate.

Severus "consumed" the land – reducing it to ruin through slaughter, burning, and devastation. Men, women, children, and livestock fell; over 900 villages were razed. The "glorious land" (all Israel, especially Judea with Jerusalem and Zion) was changed forever: desolate, purged of Jews, and renamed Syria-Palaestina. Survivors were sold into slavery or forbidden entry on pain of death.

Jerusalem became Aelia Capitolina, a model Roman city with a broad street (Cardo), colonnades, a racecourse, baths, theatre, Jupiter's statue over the Temple ruins, and Venus's shrine at the Holy Sepulchre site. Jews could enter only on the Ninth of Av to mourn.

Post-war, edicts eased under Antoninus Pius (meaning "likeable"), allowing circumcision again. But Judea was devastated: fields burned, villages empty, many emigrated to Babylonia. The Sanhedrin moved to Usha in Galilee. Jews were no longer the majority; pagans filled the land.

This fulfilled prophecy: Jews defeated as a nation, scattered ("led away captive into all nations"), their homeland off-limits until the 20th century.

Insights from Historical Sources

From Chaim Potok's Wanderings (page 227): Hadrian sought unity through assimilation, banning Jewish practices and rebuilding Jerusalem pagan-style. The revolt was for survival; Bar-Kokhba emerged as leader. After heavy fighting, Romans methodically crushed it, leaving the land blood-soaked.

From Werner Keller's The Bible as History (page 385): Severus smashed the rebellion over three years. Hadrian built Roman features in derision. Most Jews were massacred or enslaved, echoing biblical warnings.

This event sealed Judea's fate under Rome, blending history and prophecy in Daniel's vision.

Page 36.

Chapter 37: 

Daniel Chapter 11, Verse 17: 

A Pivotal Moment in Prophecy

In this section of Daniel's prophecies, we dive into a verse that's a bit of a curveball—it's the only one in Chapter 11 that's out of strict chronological order. It acts as a "pivot point," shifting our focus from the destruction and scattering of the 12 tribes of Israel to their eventual regathering in unexpected places. This verse bridges the gap between the Eastern and Western worlds under Roman rule, setting the stage for the prophecies that follow in verses 18 to 45. 

The events here unfold during the reign of Roman Emperor Nero, from AD 54 to 68. It's a time of terror for God's people, with the House of Judah being driven from Jerusalem in the East, while remnants of the House of Israel reassemble in the West, particularly in the British Isles. Let's break it down step by step, blending biblical prophecy with historical facts to make sense of this complex narrative.

The Verse Itself

The King James Version reads: "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."

This prophecy isn't tied to a specific time or place at first glance, but it cleverly recaps the Greco-Roman history we've covered so far in Chapter 11. It highlights the chastisement of Israel on one side of the "balance" and their regathering on the other, showing where God's elect children fled—East to Judea and West to Britain.

Back to Nero: The "He" Who Sets His Face

We pick up from verses 15 and 16 , which described Roman occupation in Judea under Nero, then Vespasian and Titus. Verse 17 circles back to Nero's era, focusing on his iron-fisted rule over the entire Roman Empire—from Judea in the East to Britain in the Northwest.

The "he" here is Nero, the "king of the North," who unleashes the full might of his empire. "Set his face" means he's stubbornly determined to impose his will, ignoring everyone else's feelings. Nero embodies this— a tyrant hell-bent on selfish desires.

Nero's Dark Background

Born in Latium, Nero was the son of a cruel Roman consul, Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, and Agrippina, sister of Emperor Caligula and great-granddaughter of Augustus. In AD 49, Agrippina married her uncle Claudius, convincing him to adopt Nero and pass the throne to him over his own son, Britannicus. At 16, Nero married Claudius's daughter Octavia to solidify his claim.

Claudius died by poison in AD 54, and Nero became emperor at just 16, thanks to the Praetorian Guards' scheming. Britannicus was poisoned the next year. Nero's early rule was moderate (by Roman standards), but his vanity and cruelty soon emerged. In AD 59, he murdered his mother Agrippina after failed attempts. He divorced and killed Octavia for his mistress Poppaea, whom he later kicked to death in a rage. He proposed to Claudius's daughter Antonia, executing her when she refused, then married Statilia Messalina after killing her husband.

This paints Nero as a monster who "set his face" to fulfil his whims, spilling over into his empire's affairs from East to West.

Entering with the Strength of His Whole Kingdom

"Enter with the strength of his whole kingdom" refers to Nero's legions penetrating distant lands under his command. "Enter" means to invade or dominate, and "strength" implies massive military force—think tough, tenacious armies like those led by Vespasian and Titus.

The Roman Empire stretched like a dragon (as in Daniel 7:7-8 and Revelation 12:3-4), with its "horns" in Britain and its tail sweeping through Judea to Egypt and North Africa. While Vespasian and Titus crushed Judea, other legions pushed into Britain, the empire's northwestern edge.

In AD 61, Britain erupted in revolt under Queen Boudicca (also called Boadicea) of the Iceni tribe. Meanwhile, Romans fought Parthians in Armenia (unsuccessfully), faced unrest in Italy, and saw Rome burn in AD 64. By AD 65, conspiracies against Nero failed, leading to vengeful executions. In AD 68, legions rebelled, the Senate declared him a public enemy, and Nero fled, committing suicide (possibly with help) at age 30.

This turmoil shows Nero's "whole kingdom" in action, overseeing both visible conquests and the hidden fulfilment of God's oracles for Israel—scattering and protecting His people unknowingly.

The Upright Ones with Him

"And upright ones with him; thus shall he do" reminds us of God's faithful people—"upright" meaning honest, just, and full of integrity. During Nero's terror, these included apostles like Paul, Peter, Barnabas, Mark, Luke, James, Titus, and John, plus many converts baptised across the empire.

Nero targeted these Christians, imprisoning or killing them at will. Paul even spoke to Nero face-to-face but couldn't sway him. Nero's focus was subduing troublesome Jews in Judea and Rome, but his legions smashed Christian communities everywhere—from Galatia (Celtic peoples), Thessalonica, Philippi, Cyprus, Antioch, Athens, and Corinth in the West, to Judea in the East.

Nero's "strength entered" these lands, starving people materially and spiritually, fulfilling his mischievous ways.

The Daughter of Women: Corruption and Revolt

The verse shifts West: "And he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him."

We're still in Nero's time (AD 54-68), now at the empire's western edge—the British Isles, home to Celtic tribes and Picts resisting Roman rule.

In AD 60-61, King Prasutagus of the Iceni (in modern Norfolk) died. Wealthy and peaceful, he had no sons, only a wife (Boudicca) and daughters. To ensure a smooth handover and protect his family, his will left his kingdom jointly to Nero and his family—knowing Roman annexation was inevitable.

Here, "he" (Prasutagus) gives "him" (Nero) the "daughter of women" (Boudicca and her daughters). "Daughter of women" indicates they're not from Israel's lineage (unlike biblical terms like "daughter of Zion" for Israelite women). Boudicca was a pure Celtic Briton.

But Rome "corrupted her"—meaning destroyed, seduced, or degraded. Under Governor Suetonius Paulinus (busy fighting in Wales), Roman officials looted the Iceni lands. Boudicca's house was sacked, her daughters raped, and she was publicly whipped. Chiefs lost ancestral properties, and relatives became slaves, turning a peaceful kingdom putrid.

Boudicca's Fury: Not Standing on His Side

"But she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him" captures Boudicca's reaction. This tall, blonde, deep-voiced queen rallied neighbouring tribes into a massive army, voiding her husband's will in rage against Roman "nobility."

With Roman legions scattered, her forces—fueled by outrage—destroyed Camulodunum (Colchester), a Roman religious and administrative hub. No mercy: the town burned, people massacred. They overwhelmed the 9th Legion from Lincoln, slaughtering them under sheer numbers.

Next, Verulamium (St. Albans) and Londinium (London)—key Roman centres—fell to the same fury. Tacitus reported 230,000 Britons engaged, with 80,000 killed by Paulinus's 10,000 seasoned troops (versus 400 Roman deaths and 400 wounded).

Boudicca escaped but died in her lands—possibly by poison or heartbreak—receiving a royal funeral. Nero sent reinforcements from Germany, executing suspects and devastating tribes. The revolt nearly annihilated the British, but Paulinus's recall brought a new governor and uneasy quiet.

The British Isles' tribes became Rome's "10 horns": Dumnonii, Belgae, Atrebates, Cantii, Trinovantes, Iceni, Coritani, Brigantes, Ordovices, and Silures. Conquered from AD 43 to 410, they later shifted to Saxon kingdoms.

The Prophetic Pivot: From East to West

This verse balances history: Jerusalem "closed" in the East (House of Judah scattered), while Britain "opens" in the West (remnants of Israel regathering among Gentiles—Greek, Roman, Germanic, Celtic).

Nero's terror continued, torturing Christians and fostering immorality until his suicide. Today, Boudicca's monument on London's Thames Embankment echoes "Liberty or death," a cry repeated through British history.

Verse 17 closes the East's story over Israel and opens the West's, guiding us through the remaining prophecies with waymarks for Israel's future. The scattering among Gentiles continues, fulfilling God's oracles step by step.

Page 37.

Chapter 38: 

Unravelling Daniel 11:18 – 

A Prophetic Glimpse into British History

Daniel's prophecies in the Bible often weave together history, empires, and God's plans for His people. This verse stands out as it's slightly out of the usual historical timeline in the chapter. It marks the start of a new thread: the beginning of Roman influence in the British Isles around AD 43–54, under Emperor Claudius and involving the British leader King Caractacus (also known as Prince Caradoc). We'll break it down step by step, making the complex mix of prophecy and history easier to follow, while keeping the deep insights intact.

Think of Daniel as a divine historian, focusing on the fate of the Hebrew people – the Israelites – scattered across time and places. His words aren't just ancient predictions; they're a roadmap for understanding how empires rise and fall, especially those affecting God's chosen nations.

The Verse in Focus

The key verse is Daniel 11:18 from the King James Version (KJV): "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."

At first glance, this seems cryptic – who is "he"? What are the "isles"? And what's this about a prince turning reproach around? Don't worry; we'll unpack it. This verse shifts our attention westward, away from the Middle East, to kick off the story of the British Isles under Roman rule. It follows on from verse 17, which touched on Nero's era and upheavals like the revolt of Boadicea (Boudicca). Earlier verses (15–16) wrapped up the history of the House of Judah (the Jews) in Israel, ending with events like the Bar Kokhba revolt.

Here, "after this" signals a fresh start: the spotlight moves to the "lost sheep" of the House of Israel – the other tribes scattered from ancient times – now emerging in a new land.

Why Daniel Matters for History

History books can be biased, favouring the winners or a nation's own story. But Daniel, writing under God's guidance, gives the unfiltered truth, especially about Israel's two houses: Judah (Jews) and Israel (the "lost" tribes). With Judah's story in Israel concluding, we pivot to these lost tribes in the West. Daniel's prophecies aren't random; they're laser-focused on where the Israelites end up through the ages.

This verse launches a "race" through history, from this starting line in the British Isles right to the chapter's end in verse 45. It's like a runner poised at the blocks, waiting for the starting gun – and that gun fires with Rome's gaze turning to these distant islands.

Decoding the "Isles": Why Britain?

The word "isles" has sparked debate among Bible scholars. Some think it means Greek islands or just "coasts." But the evidence points squarely to the British Isles. Why? Daniel always prioritises Israelite history, and this fits as the new home for the House of Israel's tribes.

A beautiful verse captures this perfectly: Isaiah 40:15 – "BEHOLD, THE NATIONS ARE AS A DROP OF A BUCKET, AND ARE COUNTED AS THE SMALL DUST OF THE BALANCE; BEHOLD, HE TAKETH UP THE 'ISLES' AS A VERY LITTLE THING."

See the tenderness here? God cherishes this "very little thing" – a small, separate cluster of islands, not vast coasts or a mainland like Greece. "Coasts" wouldn't evoke such affection for a singular, plural entity. Greece is often called "Grecia," "Macedonia," or "Kittim" in the Bible, and it's tied to the mainland Balkan Peninsula. The Mediterranean has famous islands like Malta, Cyprus, and Crete, but they're not described this way.

The British Isles? They're a compact group – Great Britain, Ireland, and over 5,000 smaller ones (like the Hebrides, Orkneys, and Scillies). No spot is more than about 100 kilometres from the sea, giving them a unique, isolated character. Once part of Europe, they became islands after the Ice Age. Ancient names like "Tin Isles" (from Cornish tin trade) or "Insula Britannicus" highlight their distinct identity.

The Peoples of the Isles: Celtic Roots and Israelite Ties

The British Isles' early inhabitants were Celts – Brythons in England and Wales, Gaels in Scotland and Ireland. These Aryan-stock tribes migrated from near the Caspian Sea, westward through Europe around 1000–600 BC. They're linked to Japheth's descendants in Genesis 10:5: "BY THESE WERE THE 'ISLES' OF THE GENTILES DIVIDED IN THEIR LANDS; EVERY ONE AFTER HIS TONGUE, AFTER THEIR FAMILIES, IN THEIR NATIONS."

"Gentiles" here means non-Israelites, but prophecy shows Israelites mingling among them. Japheth's son Gomer fathered the Cimbri (Celts), who swept through Greece, Rome, Spain, Gaul (France), and into Britain. This ties into Daniel's vision of Nebuchadnezzar's statue (chapter 2), with its iron-and-clay toes representing a divided kingdom under Roman influence – the "10 horns" of Daniel 7:7, symbolising the British Isles' kingdoms.

More clues in prophecy:

• Isaiah 24:15: "WHEREFORE GLORIFY YE THE LORD IN THE FIRES, EVEN THE NAME OF THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL IN THE 'ISLES' OF THE SEA." (Fires symbolise spiritual offerings to God.)

• Isaiah 41:5: "THE 'ISLES' SAW IT, AND FEARED; THE ENDS OF THE EARTH WERE AFRAID, DREW NEAR, AND CAME." (Read the full chapter for end-times fear drawing Israelite nations together, from Britain to Australia and North America.)

• Isaiah 42:1–4 speaks of Christ bringing judgement to the Gentiles, with verse 4: "HE SHALL NOT FAIL NOR BE DISCOURAGED, TILL HE HAVE SET JUDGEMENT IN THE EARTH: AND THE ISLES SHALL WAIT FOR HIS LAW." The Isles "waited" for Israelite tribes to gather, for Bible translations, and for Christ's teachings to take root.

• Jeremiah 31:10–11: God gathers scattered Israel like a shepherd, redeeming Jacob (Judah) from stronger foes – think the Jews' survival after Hitler.

These "isles" became a refuge for the House of Israel, where Jesus sought His "lost sheep" (kinsmen) among Gentiles.

Early Trade and Pre-Roman History

The Isles weren't isolated forever. Phoenician merchants traded tin and copper from Cornwall with Egypt and Assyria. Greek explorer Pytheas visited in 330 BC, trading metals and pearls. Aristotle and Julius Caesar both called them the "British Isles." Prehistoric artefacts in museums show a land shaped by the Ice Age, with Celtic warriors in chariots, bronze shields, and stone forts – not just "painted savages."

Rome's Gaze Turns West: Julius Caesar and Claudius

The "he" in the verse is Emperor Claudius, "turning his face unto the isles." Julius Caesar tried first in 55–54 BC, invading from Gaul with thousands of troops. Storms wrecked his ships twice, forcing retreats despite brief landings in Kent. It wasn't God's timing.

Nearly a century later, in AD 43, Claudius – a scholarly, stammering emperor seeking glory – launched the real conquest. Fresh from Nero's era (verse 17), he sent 50,000 men, claiming southeast Britain (Kent) ruled by Cunobelinus and his sons Caractacus and Togodumnus. Claudius briefly visited to claim victory, earning the title "Britannicus."

King Caractacus: The Prince Who Turned the Tables

Now enters the "prince": King Caractacus, a fierce chieftain who led guerrilla warfare against Rome for nine years (AD 43–51). He rallied tribes like the Silures, fighting in swamps and mountains. Defeated in battle, he fled but was betrayed and captured by Roman General Ostorius.

"And shall take many" refers to the captives – men, women, children – paraded in Rome as slaves, including Caractacus' family. Expecting execution, Caractacus instead delivered a bold speech to Claudius, recorded by historian Tacitus:

"IF TO MY HIGH BIRTH AND DISTINGUISHED RANK I HAD ADDED THE VIRTUES OF MODERATION ROME HAD BEHELD ME RATHER AS A FRIEND THAN A CAPTIVE, AND YOU WOULD NOT HAVE REJECTED AN ALLIANCE WITH A PRINCE DESCENDED FROM ILLUSTRIOUS ANCESTORS AND GOVERNING MANY NATIONS. THE REVERSE OF MY FORTUNE TO YOU IS GLORIOUS, AND TO ME HUMILIATING. I HAD ARMS AND MEN, AND HORSES; I POSSESSED EXTRAORDINARY RICHES; AND CAN IT BE ANY WONDER THAT I WAS UNWILLING TO LOSE THEM? BECAUSE ROME ASPIRES TO UNIVERSAL DOMINION MUST MEN THEREFORE IMPLICITLY RESIGN THEMSELVES TO SUBJECTION? I OPPOSED FOR A LONG TIME THE PROGRESS OF YOUR ARMS, AND HAD I ACTED OTHERWISE WOULD EITHER YOU HAVE HAD THE GLORY OF CONQUEST OR I OF A BRAVE RESISTANCE? I AM NOW IN YOUR POWER. IF YOU ARE DETERMINED TO TAKE REVENGE MY FATE WILL SOON BE FORGOTTEN, AND YOU WILL DERIVE NO HONOUR FROM THE TRANSACTION. PRESERVE MY LIFE, AND I SHALL REMAIN TO THE LATEST AGES A MONUMENT OF YOUR CLEMENCY."

This "prince for his own behalf" caused the "reproach" (shame of capture) to cease. Claudius, moved, pardoned him and his family – turning the reproach back without adding his own. They lived freely in Rome. Caractacus' fame drew crowds, and his words echo in our "latest ages," proving God's hand in history.

Christianity's Early Arrival and Lasting Legacy

During Cunobelinus' reign, Jesus was born. Christianity reached the Isles early – possibly before the last Crucifixion witnesses died. By the 4th century, British bishops attended councils in France. Welsh legends suggest Caractacus became Christian, perhaps hearing of Paul (mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:21 as "Claudia," possibly a Briton).

This verse sets the stage for British history unfolding in Daniel 11, linking to Israelite prophecies. It's a reminder: God uses small things – like these isles or a babe in a manger – for big purposes. As we head to verse 19, more proofs await that the "isles" are indeed Britain.

Page 38.

Chapter 39: 

Daniel Chapter 11, Verse 19: 

Agricola and the Roman Conquest 

of the British Isles

This section explores Daniel 11:19 from the King James Version (KJV) Bible, linking its prophecy to historical events in the British Isles under Roman rule. We'll focus on the Roman general and governor Gaius Julius Agricola, during the reigns of Emperors Nero, Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian (roughly AD 59 to AD 93). The verse describes a powerful figure's rise and fall, interpreted here as Agricola's story. By blending biblical prophecy with Roman history, we see how ancient words align with real events, making the narrative clearer and more relatable without losing its profound insights.

The Biblical Verse

The prophecy in Daniel 11:19 states: "THEN HE SHALL TURN HIS FACE TOWARD THE FORT OF HIS OWN LAND; BUT HE SHALL STUMBLE AND FALL, AND NOT BE FOUND."

This "he" refers to a key player in a larger prophetic sequence about kings and conflicts. In this interpretation, it points to Agricola, whose military triumphs in Britain and eventual downfall mirror the verse's dramatic arc. Let's break it down step by step, connecting prophecy to history.

Agricola's Rise: A Roman Hero in Britain

Agricola was a standout Roman military leader, celebrated by historian Tacitus for his skill and character. Born into Rome's elite, he embodied the empire's golden age of expansion, from the British Isles to Mesopotamia.

• Early Career (AD 61 onwards): As a young officer under Emperor Nero, Agricola first fought in Britain, battling tribes in North Wales alongside commander Suetonius. He later suppressed the Boudica (Boadicea) uprising, showcasing his tactical prowess.

• Return and Promotions: After brief stints in Rome and Asia, Emperor Vespasian sent him back to Britain in command of the 20th Legion around AD 70. Agricola's diplomacy—firm yet fair—earned him respect from soldiers and emperors alike. Tacitus praised his nobility, noting he served Rome loyally under multiple rulers, always putting the empire first.

• Governor of Britain (AD 78–84/85): Appointed governor by Vespasian, Agricola held the post for an unusually long seven years (most lasted three). He subdued North Wales, crushing the Ordovices tribe and capturing Anglesey. Pushing north, he terrorised and conquered tribes in northern England and Scotland with calculated speed.

• Conquests in Scotland: By AD 81, Agricola built forts from the Clyde to the Forth (later inspiring Hadrian's Wall in AD 120). He defeated Caledonian highlanders in key battles, advancing to Strathmore and even the Orkneys. His fleet circumnavigated Britain, confirming it as an island. Ireland, visible from Scotland, escaped invasion, though Agricola eyed it as potential Roman territory.

• Administration and Legacy: Beyond warfare, Agricola Romanised Britain through effective governance, building infrastructure and integrating locals. His successes pleased Vespasian, who rewarded him with the governorship of Aquitaine (south-western France) from AD 73–74, a brief consulship in Rome in AD 78, and honours.

During this era, emperors changed: Vespasian died in AD 79, succeeded by Titus (who besieged Jerusalem as foretold in Daniel 11:15). Titus's short reign (AD 79–81) saw Rome's fire and Vesuvius's eruption, burying Pompeii and Herculaneum. Domitian, Vespasian's younger son, took the throne in AD 81 at age 29—intelligent but paranoid, he would become Agricola's nemesis.

Turning Towards Home: The Prophecy Unfolds

The first part of the verse—"THEN HE SHALL TURN HIS FACE TOWARD THE FORT OF HIS OWN LAND"—signals a pivotal shift. Here, "fort" symbolises Rome, the empire's stronghold and military hub, occupied by troops and the heart of power.

• The "Then" Moment: This word implies a timely consequence. After years in Britain (from AD 61 to 84/85, under four emperors), Agricola faced a new challenge. Deep in Scotland, his focus was inward on the isles, but Emperor Domitian recalled him to Rome.

• Turning His Face: "Turn" suggests a directed change, and "face towards" means becoming pliable and ready to obey. Agricola, ever loyal, answered the call despite apprehensions. Rome was his birthplace and "own land," where his nobility was forged. Leaving Britain—where he'd spent most of his career—he turned southward, back across the Channel, to face an unpredictable emperor.

Domitian, suspicious of rivals, feared Agricola's popularity. Fresh from victories on the Rhine and Danube, Domitian returned to Rome honoured, but Agricola's British triumphs overshadowed him upon arrival.

Stumble and Fall: Agricola's Downfall

The verse's second half—"BUT HE SHALL STUMBLE AND FALL, AND NOT BE FOUND"—foretells decline. "Stumble" means tripping into error or difficulty; "fall" implies sinking from power, perhaps violently; "not be found" suggests vanishing without a foundation to rebuild.

• Honours and Jealousy: In Rome (AD 84/85), Agricola received a triumphant entry, ceremonial robes, a laurel-wreathed statue—standard for victors. But Domitian's envy grew. Aware his father Vespasian rose to emperor as a popular commander post-Nero, Domitian saw Agricola—at just 44—as a threat.

• Forced Retirement: Domitian greeted Agricola with a formal kiss but denied him further roles. No new generalship, governorship, or the expected post in Asia (as senior consul). Warned against applying, Agricola retired into obscurity after 14 years of loyal service. This was a crushing blow: from near the throne's door, he declined in power, facing "evil" in Domitian's suspicion.

• Mysterious End (AD 93?): Historians debate Agricola's fate. Some say he lived quietly in a villa, others in poverty or poisoned—possibly on Domitian's orders—or from illness. Tacitus expressed anger at the unfinished work in Britain. This uncertainty aligns with "not be found": no clear record, no chance to re-establish. Agricola vanished from public life, his potential unfulfilled.

Broader Historical and Prophetic Ties

Domitian ruled despotically (AD 81–96), terrorising elites with executions. Like Nero and Caligula, he corrupted morals. Assassinated by his household in AD 96, he was denied a state funeral; his name erased from public records—a fall echoing Agricola's.

This verse weaves prophecy with history, showing Rome's grip on Britain preparing the isles for future migrations (like the House of Israel's children). Agricola's influence endures through Tacitus's writings and Daniel's words, highlighting how personal ambitions and imperial fears shape empires. By clarifying these layers, we see the prophecy's depth: a man's glory stumbling under jealousy, fulfilling ancient scripture in turbulent times.

Page 39.

Chapter 40: 

Daniel Chapter 11: Verse 20 – 

The Raiser of Taxes

In this verse from the Book of Daniel, the prophecy shifts focus to a key figure in Roman history. We'll break it down step by step, linking the ancient words to real events in a way that's easy to follow. The goal is to make the complex mix of prophecy and history clearer, without losing any of the original depth. We'll explore how this verse points to Emperor Diocletian (AD 284–305), known for his heavy taxation and efforts to restore Rome's glory.

The verse comes from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. You can read it in context here.

"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."

Understanding the Prophecy's Language

Daniel's prophecies often use symbolic and emphatic words to highlight important leaders and events. Here's a breakdown of key phrases in verse 20:

• "Then": This signals a new development soon after the previous events (from verse 19, which dealt with earlier Roman figures like Agricola and Domitian). It means "at that time" or "as a result," introducing a standout leader who demands attention.

• "Shall stand up": This phrase emphasises a strong, upright figure who rises to power and can't be ignored. It's used in Daniel to spotlight rulers in positions of authority and strength.

• "In his estate": "Estate" refers to a position of power, property, or political order. Here, it connects back to the Roman Empire's core, shifting from the British Isles in prior verses to Rome itself around AD 284—a leap of about 200 years.

• "A raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom": This describes a leader who imposes heavy taxes while restoring the empire's splendour, honour, and divine-like status.

• "But within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle": "Few days" prophetically means a short period (often symbolising years in biblical terms, like Diocletian's 21-year reign). "Destroyed" implies being brought down or ended, but not through violence or war—pointing to a voluntary or internal downfall.

These words aren't vague guesses; Daniel pinpoints specific milestones in Rome's "iron legs" era (from Daniel 2:33), proving the prophecy's accuracy through history.

Historical Context: Rome's Chaos Before Diocletian

To grasp why Diocletian "stands up" so prominently, consider the mess he inherited. From AD 96 (after Domitian's death) to AD 284, Rome saw 28 notable emperors, plus many usurpers and co-rulers. The period from AD 222–284 was especially turbulent: 20 emperors in 50 years, most dying violently as soldiers made and broke rulers for personal gain.

The empire faced breakdowns in discipline, rampant inflation, and breached borders. Uprisings flared everywhere, including in distant provinces like Britain, affected by raids from Saxons, Celts, and Picts. When Emperor Numerianus died in AD 284, Diocletian's troops proclaimed him emperor. Born humbly in Dalmatia (modern Yugoslavia), he rose as an educated officer—a statesman more than a warrior.

Diocletian's Rise and Reforms: Restoring Glory

Diocletian aimed to rebuild Rome's "glory"—praise, honour, and heavenly favour. He declared himself under the protection of the god Jove (Jupiter), adopting Eastern royal customs: silk robes, gold, purple, and demands for prostration in adoration. This made him an absolute, divine monarch, elevating him and his co-rulers above ordinary people.

To manage the vast empire, he innovated by sharing power—a first for Rome:

• He appointed Maximian as co-emperor (Augustus), then added two Caesars (heirs): Galerius (adopted by Diocletian) and Constantius (adopted by Maximian).

• The empire was divided into four parts:

  • Maximian: Italy and Africa

  • Constantius: Gaul, Spain, and Britain

  • Galerius: Danube and Rhine regions

  • Diocletian: The East (Asia, Asia Minor, Egypt, Thrace)

This "fourfold rule" strengthened administration, law, and order across far-flung areas, including Britain. Diocletian moved his court to Milan, turning it into a splendid imperial city. He fortified borders with towers, forts, and cities, stationing a larger army (expanded to 60 legions, broken into smaller units to prevent revolts).

In Britain, he garrisoned the east coast, maintained a North Sea navy, and reduced raids. Earlier emperors like Septimius Severus (AD 193–211) had reorganised British tribes into 10 "horns" or princedoms (from Daniel 7:7–8), reducing Agricola's 21 tribes for better control. Diocletian built on this, further dividing the empire into 101 provinces, 13 dioceses, and four major sections—paving the way for the East-West split (Daniel 2:33).

The "Raiser of Taxes": Diocletian's Taxation System

Diocletian earned his prophetic title through an unprecedented taxation overhaul. Previous emperors taxed heavily, but his methodical approach stood out.

• He sent census-takers empire-wide to record people, lands, and possessions (e.g., a farmer's 216 olive trees on Lesbos, or British exports like corn, pearls, and wool).

• Taxes became regular and oppressive, tying families to their land via hereditary rules—laying groundwork for serfdom.

• In AD 301, his "Edict" fixed prices and wages, with death penalties for violations (though unenforceable, it was abandoned).

• He employed vast officials for reforms and crushed usurpers, like two British commanders in AD 293–296.

This system funded his army and restorations but burdened the people, fulfilling Daniel's vision of a tax-raiser in the kingdom's glory.

Persecution of Christians and Ties to Britain

Diocletian is infamous for the Great Persecution starting in AD 302, especially violent in the East. Fires at his Nicomedia palace (blamed on Christians) sparked arrests, tortures, and executions. Orders went empire-wide for extermination.

His co-rulers varied:

• Maximian: Cruel, enjoyed the slaughter.

• Galerius: Hateful and unrestrained.

• Constantius: Lenient in the West (including Britain), making token gestures; many Christians served in his household.

In Britain, Roman rule brought resettlements and reforms, but raids persisted. Diocletian's fortifications helped temporarily, but the "ebb and flow" of peoples reshaped the isles. His actions reinforced the 10 Roman "horns" (tribes like Dumnonii, Belgae, etc.), which were part-iron, part-clay (Daniel 2:41–43)—lasting until Rome's withdrawal in AD 410, when Saxon kingdoms replaced them.

Diocletian's Downfall: Abdication and Quiet End

The prophecy's end—"but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle"—unfolds remarkably. In his 21st year (AD 305), at persecution's peak, Diocletian fell ill. Perhaps troubled inwardly by the cruelties, he abdicated voluntarily—the first Roman emperor to do so. He persuaded Maximian to follow, leaving succession to Galerius and Constantius.

This wasn't violent ("anger" implies passion; "battle" means war). Instead, it was a thoughtful, internal choice—bringing him down without external force. The abdication stunned historians; turmoil followed, with armies again meddling, but it eased some Christian suffering.

Diocletian retired to his palace in Salona (Dalmatia), spending nine years as a private citizen—gardening, even growing cabbages. He refused pleas to return amid empire chaos and died in AD 316, secluded. From divine "glory" to earthly humility, he was "destroyed" by an unknown God, fulfilling prophecy.

A Historical Side Note: Saint George and the Dragon

For extra interest, consider Saint George (AD 250–300), England's patron saint. Born in Cappadocia, he served as a soldier under Diocletian and protested the persecutions, leading to his martyrdom. Depicted slaying a dragon, this may symbolise defeating evil—or, biblically, the "red dragon" of Rome (Revelation 12). First Genoa's saint, Edward III adopted him for England.

Page 40.

Chapter 41: 

Daniel Chapter 11, Verse 21: 

Constantine the Great (AD 306–337)

This chapter explores one of the pivotal verses in Daniel's prophecies. It marks a turning point for the Roman Empire—described as a two-legged power in biblical imagery—and signals spiritual challenges for the House of Israel. We'll break it down step by step, blending history and prophecy in clear, straightforward language. Think of it as a dramatic story of ambition, deception, and religious transformation, where a Roman emperor shapes the world in ways that echo ancient predictions.

The Prophetic Verse and Its Context

Daniel's vision in Chapter 11 traces the rise and fall of empires, focusing here on Rome after Emperor Diocletian. Verse 21 is a key moment:

Daniel 11:21 - "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."

This "estate" refers to the Roman Empire that Diocletian had strengthened and glorified. The verse continues the story from verse 20, where Diocletian "stands up" as a powerful ruler. Now, a new figure emerges in that same Roman world—a "vile person" who seizes power through cunning rather than outright force. According to this interpretation, that person is Constantine I, often called "the Great" by historians. But why such a harsh label from prophecy? Let's unpack it.

Who Was Constantine? A Quick Background

Born around 27 February 280 AD in Naissus (modern-day Serbia, then Yugoslavia), Constantine grew up in a turbulent Roman world. His mother, Helena, was likely an innkeeper's daughter or concubine to his father, Constantius, one of Diocletian's co-rulers. Some accounts even suggest she was a British prince's daughter.

As a young man, Constantine served in Diocletian's eastern court and fought in Egypt and Persia. When his father became ruler of Gaul, Spain, and Britain, Constantine joined him, crossing to Britain to battle Scottish tribes. Constantius died in York in 306 AD, and the British legions proclaimed Constantine emperor. This set off years of chaos, as multiple claimants vied for the throne.

The Rise to Power: A Usurper's Path

The prophecy says this vile person won't receive the "honour of the kingdom"—meaning the full respect and legitimacy of Rome. Constantine faced rivals galore:

• After Diocletian's abdication, the empire splintered. Rulers included Maximian (forced into retirement), his son Maxentius, Galerius, Severus, Licinius, Maximinus Daia, and Domitius Alexander.

• Six emperors or pretenders ruled parts of the empire at once, all with stronger claims than Constantine, who was seen as a usurper.

• Family ties complicated things: Intermarriages, like Constantine wedding Maximian's daughter, were common to secure alliances.

Constantine played a long game of battles and betrayals:

• He appeased Galerius by accepting a lesser title (Caesar, not Augustus).

• In 308 AD, Maximian sought refuge with him but was forced to suicide after plotting.

• Severus was killed by Maxentius, who briefly recognised Constantine.

• Galerius died in 311 AD; Maximinus allied with Maxentius against Constantine.

• In 312 AD, Constantine defeated Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge (where Maxentius drowned), becoming sole ruler of the West.

• He allied with Licinius, issuing the Edict of Milan in 313 AD for religious tolerance, banishing Maximinus.

• Quarrels led to war; Constantine defeated Licinius in 323 AD, executing him and his son.

By 324 AD, Constantine ruled the entire empire—East and West. But his path involved deceit, family executions, and strategic shifts, fitting the prophecy's "vile" description.

Why "Vile Person"? Prophecy Meets Character

Prophecy calls Constantine "vile"—meaning villainous, morally worthless, and wicked. Secular historians debate him: Some praise him as Christianity's protector; others note his despotism, pagan leanings, and cruelty.

From a biblical view, his vileness stems from initiating the "abomination of desolation" , a state-controlled church that blended paganism and Christianity. This "abomination" grew powerful, desolating true faith, as detailed in Daniel and Revelation.

Constantine was tall, charismatic, and ambitious. He read widely, handled complaints, and excelled in sports and administration. Yet, he used people shamelessly:

• He spied on subjects, murdered rivals, and even executed his son Crispus and wife Fausta on mysterious charges in 326 AD.

• His "flatteries" (false praise and cajolery) manipulated religions and politics for personal gain.

Coming in "Peaceably" with "Flatteries"

The verse ends: He obtains the kingdom "peaceably" through "flatteries." This seems odd amid his battles, but it highlights his cunning character over brute force.

• Peaceably: Constantine adopted Christian symbols to unify and pacify. In 312 AD, he claimed a vision of a cross with "By this sign conquer" . His troops bore the Chi-Rho (Christ's monogram) on shields, defeating Maxentius.

• He saw Christianity's appeal for "inner peace" and loyalty, especially after persecutions strengthened it.

• Flatteries: He praised and accommodated multiple gods to please everyone:

  • Worshipped Sol Invictus (unconquered sun), with Sunday as its day and 25 December as its festival—later assigned to Christ's birth.

  • Mixed Sol with Jesus, calling both "highest divinity."

  • Built churches like the Basilica Constantiniana (now St. John Lateran) and donated property to bishops.

  • Exempted clergy from secular duties, gaining their support.

  • Presided over the Council of Nicaea (325 AD), creating the Nicene Creed—a human summary of faith elevated to scripture's level.

  • His Arch of Constantine credited victory to an "unknown god" (ambiguous flattery).

  • Mother Helena built shrines in the Holy Land, like at Mount Sinai and Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre.

He retained pagan titles like Pontifex Maximus (chief priest) and tolerated augury, using Christianity politically while staying unbaptised until death.

Founding Constantinople: A New Capital and Church-State Fusion

In 324 AD, Constantine moved the capital to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople (modern Istanbul). This fulfilled the "two iron legs" of Nebuchadnezzar's dream image : Western leg (Rome) and Eastern leg (Constantinople).

• Built on seven hills like Rome, it became the empire's heart, strategically placed for trade.

• Dedicated to the Virgin Mary and saints—more flatteries.

• The West weakened from civil wars, taxes, and invasions; the East thrived but oppressed subjects with corruption.

Constantine wedded church and state: Bishops served the empire, funds flowed to churches, and he positioned himself as God's viceroy. This created Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, dividing later but rooted in pagan-Christian blends.

Fulfilling Deeper Prophecies: The Case of Saint Peter

Constantine's actions echo John 21:18–19:

"VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO THEE, WHEN THOU WAST YOUNG, THOU GIRDEST THYSELF, AND WALKEST WHITHER THOU WOULDEST: BUT WHEN THOU SHALT BE OLD, THOU SHALT STRETCH FORTH THY HANDS, AND ANOTHER SHALL GIRD THEE, AND CARRY THEE WHITHER THOU WOULDEST NOT. THIS SPAKE HE, SIGNIFYING BY WHAT DEATH HE SHOULD GLORIFY GOD. AND WHEN HE HAD SPOKEN THIS, HE SAITH UNTO HIM, FOLLOW ME."

This has dual fulfillment: physical (Peter's martyrdom in Rome under Nero) and spiritual. In spirit, "another" (the Roman church Constantine helped establish) "girds" and "carries" Peter—claiming him as first bishop, binding his legacy to papal pomp he wouldn't want. Excavations under St. Peter's Basilica (built by Constantine over a cemetery) reveal graves and artifacts, but the church's use of Peter mocks true faith.

Impact on Britain and Christianity

Britain, under Roman rule, tolerated diverse religions: Celtic gods, Eastern cults like Isis and Mithras, and early Christianity from traders around 60 AD. Tertullian noted in 206 AD that remote British areas followed Christ.

Constantine's version took hold, perhaps due to his proclamation as emperor in York. Emperor worship coexisted with native faiths, but true Christianity—simple, personal, obedient—thrived quietly among the poor, unnoticed by history until the end times.

Family Drama and Death

Constantine had two wives, three daughters, and four sons. He murdered son Crispus and wife Fausta in 326 AD amid jealousy. His remaining sons (Constantine II, Constantius, Constans) became Caesars, plus cousins.

He died in 337 AD at 64, baptised on his deathbed. A fraudulent will sparked massacres, leaving Constantius as sole ruler—echoing Constantine's corruption.

Legacy: Vile or Great?

History calls him "Great" for unifying the empire and championing Christianity. Prophecy sees a vile flatterer who birthed a corrupt church-state hybrid, desolating true faith. He changed sabbaths, birthdays, and exalted symbols like the cross—often tied to Sol worship. The Eastern leg outlasted the West, but both legs of iron crumbled under their weight.

Constantine's story shows how power corrupts, blending history and prophecy in a cautionary tale. His flatteries pleased men but offended divine truth, setting stages for centuries of spiritual conflict.

Page 41.

Chapter 42: 

Daniel Chapter 11, Verse 22: 

The Fall of Rome and Britain 

Under Invading Floods

This chapter explores Daniel 11:22 from the KJV Bible: "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". It connects this prophecy to the chaotic invasions that shattered the Roman Empire and its British province around AD 410. We'll break it down step by step, blending history and prophecy to show how these ancient words played out in real events. Think of it as a dramatic story of empires crumbling under waves of invaders, with deeper spiritual layers involving God's promises to His people.

Setting the Scene: From Constantine to the Storms of Invasion

Following on from verse 21, which points to Emperor Constantine (AD 313–337) rising to power in Rome, verse 22 shifts to darker times around AD 410. The prophecy uses "they" and "also" to highlight multiple places affected: the heart of Rome and its distant province in the British Isles. Both face "storms and darkening skies" as barbarian tribes surge in like unstoppable floods.

This era marks the beginning of what historians call the "Dark Ages" or "Lost Centuries" – periods with sparse records, often biased or incomplete, like those from the monk Bede, who had his own grudges against the British people and their church.

Breaking Down the Verse: "With the Arms of a Flood Shall They Be Overflown... and Shall Be Broken"

Let's unpack the first part of the verse: "AND WITH THE ARMS OF A FLOOD SHALL THEY BE OVERFLOWN FROM BEFORE HIM, AND SHALL BE BROKEN".

• What are "arms"? In biblical terms, an "arm" symbolises strength, power, or branches extending from a main body – like a limb, a military force, or even an inlet of the sea. Here, it refers to warrior tribes branching out from their homelands, arming themselves to conquer.

• Who are these "arms"? They come from Teutonic (Germanic) peoples in northern Europe: Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Franks, Burgundians, Vandals (or Goths), Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. Winston Churchill described the Saxons as especially cruel, striking terror into the British.

• A "flood" of invaders: Imagine a massive overflow – not just water, but hordes of people surging like rivers, overwhelming everything in their path. These tribes poured across Europe, the English Channel, and into Britain, driven by hunger, war, and opportunity. They deluged lands from Greece to Spain, then Britain.

• "Overflown" explained: This old word means "overflowed" – a superabundance that swamps and runs over, like a deluge. It's not about flying overhead; it's about being inundated.

• "Before him": "Him" represents the Roman Emperor, standing for the empire itself. These invasions happen right in Rome's face – "before" meaning in its presence, previously, or formally. The tribes, once allies or foes on the fringes, now overwhelm the empire's core.

• "Shall be broken": This means shattered by violence – crushed, humbled, or made bankrupt. It's a certain ("shall") downfall for Imperial Rome's "eagle" might.

Putting it together: Rome and Britain are overrun by these Germanic "arms" acting as a flood, leading to their breaking. History confirms this during the great migrations of 395–500 AD, when tribes like the Goths and Huns pushed into Roman territories.

Historical Spotlight: The Germanic Invasions of Rome (AD 369–410)

Secular history paints a vivid picture of Rome's collapse:

• In AD 369, Emperor Valens of Constantinople treaties with Germanic King Athanaric amid Danube battles.

• By AD 375, Huns from southern Russia displace Germanic tribes, who flood Roman borders as starving refugees.

• Valens lets them into Thrace, but chaos ensues: pillaging threatens Constantinople. Valens dies fighting them in AD 378.

• His brother Valentinian rules the west until AD 375; then young Gratian takes over amid power struggles.

• By the 5th century, Rome splits permanently into eastern and western "legs."

• Visigoth chief Alaric demands land and money from Emperor Honorius, sacking Rome for three days in AD 410 – ending Imperial Rome's power.

These tribes then flow onward, flooding Europe and setting the stage for Britain's turn.

The Flood Hits Britain: Saxons, Picts, and Scots Overwhelm the Isles

Britain, as a Roman province, shares Rome's fate – the "they" in the verse includes both. Invaders had probed for years "before" Rome's full fall, fulfilling the prophecy's timing.

• Invaders: Angles, Saxons, and Jutes cross the North Sea in longboats, from Newcastle to Dover. Picts breach Hadrian's Wall from Scotland; Scots sail from Ireland.

• Roman withdrawal: Facing threats at home, Rome pulls legions from Britain by AD 410, leaving locals to fend off the "flood." The Roman "dragon" sheds its British "horns" to save itself.

• Terror and ruin: By AD 442, disasters leave Britain under these tribes. Fertile lands and Roman villas fall to ruin; mass migration swamps the isles.