"And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand."
Daniel 8:23-25
This is a prophecy from Daniel, who saw a glimpse of our day in addition to other things. Fierce countenance is bad, but "understanding dark sentences" seems way creepier, especially when it is followed up with "not by his own power" ... so whether those dark sentences are drawing upon some dark supernatural power, or just creepy human underworld type stuff, it is yikes either way. It says that this person will destroy mighty and holy people, which is also frightening.
The "causing craft to prosper" makes me wonder about supernatural stuff again, but it could also be advanced technology which would look like magic to Daniel anyway, but maybe the creepiest part of the whole thing is "by peace shall destroy many" ... which sounds very underworldy, with people working to undermine others from the shadows, kind of like all of the hacking and ransomware stuff going on, but worse ... destroying from the dark, the world at peace on the surface, but underneath still being attacked and destroyed.
In any case, whatever the methods of this 'wonderful destroyer,' as soon as he tries to stand up to God, he will be broken. And I think that is the lesson here, and the lesson for all of our lives. Bad people are going to do bad things, at least until they are banished from the earth, but that is the far future. Right now, they are a reality, and we will have to find a way to make a difference despite them, and help people who have been harmed by them. But their terror is temporary, and their triumph only lasts a chapter or two. In the end, God and good will prevail. This is God's story, and no one can mar the happy ending that is waiting for us, no matter how evil. God has already written the ending, and (spoiler)... we win. If we stick with God, he will help us through the hard chapters where people speak dark sentences and destroy the holy. And God will break the fierce countenance of the transgressors, and bring us to lasting peace and wholeness. Today, let's count on that, and get through the rough chapters with faith and our determination to get to the happy ending with God.
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