Definition: And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Daniel 11:36. It's a pretty complex passage, but we can understand it in simpler terms. Here’s what it essentially means: The Core Idea: This verse speaks about a king who is incredibly powerful and ambitious – to the point of being almost godlike. He will then deliberately act against God, speaking loudly and boasting about it, and ultimately prosper (do well) until a time of great trouble or distress arrives – “the indignation be accomplished.” Let's break it down into smaller pieces: “And the king shall do according to his will…” - This means the king is making decisions independently, without being guided by anyone. He’s taking charge and acting on his own desires. “…and he shall exalt himself…” – He wants to appear bigger and more important than everyone else. "...above every god..." – This is a big one! The king is declaring that he will be more powerful than all the gods worshipped by other people. It's a statement of dominance. "...and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods…” - He’s going to openly criticize and boast about God. He’s not just acknowledging God, but actively attacking him – implying he’s superior to Him in some way. "...and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished…" – This is where it gets even more dramatic. “Indignation” means a time of great trouble or crisis. The verse suggests that this king will thrive (prosper) until this crisis arrives and is resolved. It's like saying he'll get richer and powerful because of the problems that arise. In short, it’s a warning about a ruler who is so ambitious and arrogant that they might try to defy God and cause chaos. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a prophecy about the rise of a tyrannical leader in ancient Judah. It’s a message about the potential dangers of unchecked power and ambition. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a religious scholar. This explanation is based on common interpretations of biblical texts and should be considered a general understanding. Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you some examples of how this concept has been used throughout history?