To the god of fortresses, words are the bricks in the wall

In Daniel 11:38 there is an interesting portion of the coming prophecy regarding the antichrist: "But instead he will honor a god of fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know; he will honor him with gold, silver, costly stones and treasures." In verse 39a we read about fortresses again, "He will take action against the strongest of fortresses with the help of a foreign god;"

Many, many more knowledgeable and experienced preachers than me, a layman, have had difficulty with interpreting this passage, especially the part referring to 'a god of fortresses' and who that god may be. My intent is not to interpret it, because I am not qualified. I do want to simply relate what it made me think of when I read it.

Fortresses we know from the bible are also known as 'Strongholds' which "are erected by our wounded souls to protect us and to keep pain and rejection out. When we were brokenhearted, we went into self-protection mode," writes Carlotta Waldmann. And when we are protecting self, it is easier to sink into self-delusion, or to accept the lie that satan offers. And the first brick in the stronghold is laid.

Now, God's intent is to draw us to Him, and for us to become so close to Him we are part of His body (after confessing our sins and asking for forgiveness). Satan's strategy is separation, to separate us from the truth, from Jesus and from the knowledge of our sins. To keep us from being absorbed into the fold and sealed with the Spirit. If you are stuck inside a fortress, you certainly are separated! Indeed, when satan is successful it results in a person eternally separated from God, in hell. That is the war: are you available and free to be drawn to Christ, or are you stuck behind a fortress?

One way satan separates us is through building strongholds (fortresses) in our mind. Paul defines fortresses:

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Cor 10:3-5 (NIV)

Paul says that those old fortresses of arguments and pretensions and speculations (words, we note) are demolished through words. The Word of Truth. Thoughts held captive. Paul urges we speak boldly: "I, Paul, who am "timid" when face to face with you, but "bold" when away! (verse 1b)

Now, in Daniel, the god of fortresses to whom the antichrist pays homage is constructed through words & thoughts.

"Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done. He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the desire of women, nor will he show regard for any other god; for he will magnify himself above them all. But instead he will honor a god of fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know; he will honor him with gold, silver, costly stones and treasures." Daniel 11:36-38

And: "By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action." Daniel 11:32

Daniel isn't saying that the action to be taken is to take up a sword and slice every godless soul you see. Nor does it mean build churches, fight, or claim territory in some sort of territorial war. It is through words that the action is taken. It is by speaking the truth of Jesus. Paul says that the destruction of fortresses is via words and Daniel tells us that the god of fortresses is constructed through the antichrist's words. Do you still believe that "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me"? They do hurt.

First and foremost they hurt yourself. They allow satan a foothold and every wrong word and every wrong thought is a brick. Another brick in the wall. A cathedral, large as it is, is built brick by brick. So is a fortress in your mind. Every thought not taken captive is one more brick that edges its height inexorably to the top, where your soul, imprisoned, may not fly and your choice to be eternally separated from God is honored.

Christian, are you trapped in a stronghold? Even the tiniest one is the start of something big. Demolish that fortress and serve not the god of fortresses but the One True God, in whom there is no condemnation, but only love. Take a mental sledgehammer and speak firmly to satan, pulling down his speculations and arguments with the simple truth, that he has no authority over you. That you are a child of God, part of Jesus' body, and guided by the Holy Spirit who is sealed within you. Pray these words, speak these words, say them to others who need to hear them. Fortresses are built with words, the antichrist serves a god of fortresses and speaks smooth words. But they can be demolished with words too. Are you ready to speak them? All Christians are needed now to be ship-shape for the battle.

Comments

  1. I like your take on this. It makes so much sense to me. I have been trying to reconcile the connection of the "god of fortresses" with the "god of forces" in the KJT. Thank you so much, this helps me greatly with my study of the Book of Daniel.

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  2. Thank you for this take on this very interesting and important scripture. The "god of the fortresses does seduce through words, and I believe images, for images are another form of communication.

    The major stronghold we must take care of is our thoughts. guarding and purifying them with holy Scripture, good reads, avoiding most mainstream TV programs, films and videos. communicating with decent people. Thank you.

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  3. Daniel describes what this "god of fortresses" is....
    .... the desire/ belief to exalt (serve) and magnify oneself (=XES).
    ....today this is known as the belief in freedom of self-rights.
    ...to be free from the Will of the One and Only Creator God so as to be free to do one's own will.

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  4. http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/aug2010/olivert830.htm

    this was an interesting website i found with a very simple and concise definition of it as relating to end time prophecy. I think you might appreciate it. I do agree with you on this point as well, the fortresses of the mind and heart are what hinder from the full power of christ bursting forth from every believer to do as he did on this earth. We will get there though. Much peace, continue the good work.

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    1. Thank you for thinking of me, TheJudahFactor. I appreciate the link.

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  5. @John, Please note, God-given rights, such as life, liberty, etc. are antithesis to the rebellious anarchy you describe, for one reason: everyone has the same rights. We respect the right of another person to live, for example, because we respect the Creator who bestowed that right. This is why murder has always been wrong, e.g. In short, respect for the God-given equal rights of others, including your own, is not compatible with the near opposite act of exalting or magnifying oneself over others.

    God never contradicts Himself.

    And it is God Himself who gave free will.

    I suggest you read some books by James Dobson, and other well-respected authors on this subject, that can point you to the scriptures you might've missed. Your view is not Biblical.

    One might, in fact, consider your comment to have been self-magnifying itself. What else could be the meaning behind a comment that denigrates equality under God, and equal access to Him through Jesus Christ?

    That is the very essence of what it means to say that Jesus' work was complete. 100% complete.

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  6. @John, Please note, God-given rights, such as life, liberty, etc. are antithesis to the rebellious anarchy you describe, for one reason: everyone has the same rights. We respect the right of another person to live, for example, because we respect the Creator who bestowed that right. This is why murder has always been wrong, e.g. In short, respect for the God-given equal rights of others, including your own, is not compatible with the near opposite act of exalting or magnifying oneself over others.

    God never contradicts Himself.

    And it is God Himself who gave free will.

    I suggest you read some books by James Dobson, and other well-respected authors on this subject, that can point you to the scriptures you might've missed. Your view is not Biblical.

    One might, in fact, consider your comment to have been self-magnifying itself. What else could be the meaning behind a comment that denigrates equality under God, and equal access to Him through Jesus Christ?

    That is the very essence of what it means to say that Jesus' work was complete. 100% complete.

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  7. Great read. I like how you attempt to clarify the general tone of the prophesy rather than disecting it in attempts to specify the exact manner in which the prophecy will unfold.

    @John There is nothing wrong with individual liberty. Quite the contrary. Individual liberties only become problematic when they are divorced from morality. This brings confusion and destruction. Our founders intended that freedom and responsibilty to be coupled.


    "Our constitution was made ONLY for a moral and religious people.It is wholly inadequite to the government of any other." John Adams


    My love to you all through Messiah Jesus. Amen

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  8. I believe what John was referring to is the liberals of today. I.e women who want the right to abort, homosexuals who want to marry, desires of the flesh that displease God.

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