Daniel 11:28. "THEN SHALL HE RETURN INTO HIS LAND WITH GREAT RICHES; AND HIS HEART SHALL BE AGAINST THE HOLY COVENANT; AND HE SHALL DO EXPLOITS, AND RETURN TO HIS OWN LAND". Here is an epitaph to a King of England, who loved the adventure of war more than anything else in life. It was for him the absolute excitement, especially if the battles ended in victory. His name was Richard I son of Henry II-King of England, his mother was Eleanor of Aquitaine, in France.

We start the unravelling of verse 28, with the simple words, -"THEN and SHALL".- Because these words begin to fix the time period of history for this verse. "THEN" means,- at that time, referring to a time period past or present, -or- soon afterward at another time.

"SHALL" is a word of the future tense, meaning, one has to owe or pay for what has to be done or atoned for, it is an authority on part of the speaker.

So, we have a time period in history "SOON AFTERWARD", of the begetting of the throne of England by William the Conqueror. As "SHALL" is a word of the future tense it is seen after William's time. Daniel, who is speaking with the authority of God sees the throne of England is "PAID" for in another manner, and with another prince of Israel. Next, we have the words- "HE RETURN INTO HIS LAND WITH GREAT RICHES".

We must now seek out a king of the British Isles who fulfilled these words of verse 28. The "He" is a King who was not only King of England, but was able to return to another land, which he thought of and called home. This "He" feeling that England was the foreign land because "HIS LAND" was elsewhere. The words with "GREAT RICHES", gives us the pointer to the King's identity in secular history and it is Richard I called The Lionheart, whom we seek to fulfil these words. Why you might ask pick him out of all the Kings and Queens who have come and gone in British history? When we unravel all verse 28, we will see "why". Richard is chosen for this reason because he burdened himself with Jerusalem the holy city. Because he was also re-establishing the lineage and the continuing story of the princes of the "House of Israel" spoken by Jacob so long ago. Let us have some background knowledge of Richard and how, and why, he fits this picture.

Richard I was the third son of Henry II of France and England, and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Though Henry II was King of England, yet! He spoke French and his court was also French. He eventually ruled more than half of France. He was King of England from 1154 AD to 1189 AD and was the first monarch of the "House of Anjou" -or- Plantagenet.

In an earlier chapter I have written on Israel's sons in the "last days", from Genesis chapters 48 and 49, Simeon's Birthright, Genesis 49:5-7

Verse 5:- "SIMEON AND LEVI ARE BRETHREN; INSTRUMENTS OF CRUELTY ARE IN THEIR HABITATION".
Verse 6:-"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".
Verse 7:- "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".

We must have noted that the second house of princes, namely- Simeon of Israel, came from Henry II of Anjou, (Plantagenet).

Daniel's 10 Kingdomed toes of Israelite Clay are being moulded separately, yet! Into one kingdom.

Though both William the Conqueror, and Henry II of Anjou came from the same Dukedom of Normandy, their lineages however are separating, as they pick up new blood with each generation of their marriages. Which will eventually fulfil their separate prophecies.

It works this way, the lineage of the "man", fulfils the fleshly (or birthright) prophecy in secular history. The lineage of the "woman" fulfils the spiritual lineage of the seed. Both come together in a secular seed within mankind. That's the reason why some of the righteous children are called the "daughter" of Zion, and Jerusalem. Not the "sons" of Zion and Jerusalem.

Richard I's mother was Eleanor of Aquitaine who was the divorced wife of King Louis VII of France. When she married Henry II, she brought with her the lands in the south of France, Guiene and Aquitaine. Richard was born in Oxford England, but his early years of growing up were spent in Normandy, and Aquitaine. He knew little of England and cared less about it, when only very young he inherited Aquitaine, and was betrothed to the youngest daughter of the King of France Louis VII. -France in those times was a small portion of the land that future kings were to rule.- Here then, we have established that Daniel 11:28, speaks of a King that is king of the British Isles, yet! Had his heart in another Land, that of France. When Daniel says,- "THEN SHALL HE RETURN INTO HIS LAND". -This King acknowledges Normandy and France as HIS LAND. England's throne is only the means to get the "GREAT RICHES". Which are the next prophetic words Daniel has written. Let us go back to secular history and read how these RICHES came to Richard I, The Lionheart.

During 1189 AD Richard's father Henry II died, and the succession was passed to Richard. It wad during this time that the Crusades were hotting up in Europe. Richard loved war and all the trappings that went with this adventure, so a Crusade was "just what the doctor ordered for him", as the saying goes.

The word "Crusade" comes from the Latin crux for "cross", and in secular history it was a name applied to the 7 important religious, holy wars, (so called) which were waged against the Muslims during the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries. There was nothing holy about any of these wars, and they were certainly nothing to do with the gentle, peaceful Jesus who man hung on that cross. These wars were fought for men's reasons, nothing more! The cry was to free Jerusalem and the Holy Land, (Palestine). From the Infidel of the Moslim. Which the Muslim had controlled since the 7th century. Nevertheless, Christian pilgrims had been able to go to the Holy Sepulchre etc. Hatred was aroused in the Western Nations against the Muslims when Jerusalem was closed to the Christian, who were also persecuted. The Byzantine Emperor in the east appealed to the Roman Pope for help, which was listened to with much interest. Firstly, because at that time the prestige of the Roman church was very high, therefore, bringing about much fervour in the populations towards all things religious. Secondly, the Pope saw the opportunity to close the division between the Eastern and Western churches that had gone on for centuries.

The nobility of Europe had been rattling their swords itching for a conquest somewhere, while the poor peasants were very restless being oppressed by famine and plague. With all these things in mind Pope Urban II in an eloquent speech called for,- "to take up arms and re-conquer Jerusalem", which was met with enthusiasm, and so began the First of the seven crusades.

The Third Crusade of 1189-92 AD, which is the focus of Daniel's prophecy with King Richard I of England's throne. This was encouraged by the preaching of Pope Gregory VIII bringing the princes of Europe to answer the call. Richard, now King of England, had to have money and lots of it, to prepare himself in finery for his Crusade. So, he borrowed money and even extorted money wherever he could.

Winston Churchill's description of Richard's extortion explains it well, in "The History of the English-Speaking Peoples". "THERE AFTER THE KING, FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST'S SEPULCHRE, VIRTUALLY PUT THE REALM UP FOR SALE. MONEY HE MUST HAVE AT ALL COSTS FOR HIS CAMPAIGN IN FAR-OFF PALETINE. HE SOLD AND RESOLD EVERY OFFICE IN THE STATE. HE MADE NEW AND REVOLUTIONARILY HEAVY DEMANDS FOR TAXATION. HE CALLED FOR "SCUTAGE," THE COMMUTATION OF MILITARY SERVICE FOR A MONEY PAYMENT, AND LATER REINTRODUCED"CARUCAGE," A LEVY ON EVERY HUNDRED ACRES OF LAND. THUS HE FILLED THE CHESTS FOR THE HOLY WAR".

These chests of money -or the "GREAT RICHES" of which Daniel speaks, were taken back to his land of France. HE RETURNED INTO HIS LAND WITH GREAT RICHES. Or he went back to the same place he came from, where he prepared himself and his army, starting in the winter of 1189 AD. Then, marching across France set sail for Sicily, and there rested, he argued with the French King, and left in 1191 AD for Cyprus. Then he married and set out once more on his way to Jerusalem. We come now to the next sentence in Daniel chapter 11 verse 28. "AND HIS HEART SHALL BE AGAINST THE HOLY COVENANT"; This sentence seems to tell a story of Richard exactly opposite to the glowing reports one has heard over the years of the Lionheart; Of his personal valour in defending the Holy Land, and what he wanted to achieve in the laws of chivalry and knighthood, of those times we speak What is the "HOLY COVENANT", during Richard's time in history, is the question we must ask again here?

We have already seen in Daniel 11:22, part of the story of the covenant when we read of the Archangel Michael. A "COVENANT" is an "agreement" of mutual consent between two or more persons, to do, or not to do, some act or thing. It is a contract binding peoples with a promise.

To jog ones memory we have read that the beginning of that "promised agreement" was made between God and Abraham in Genesis 17:15-22.
Verse 15:- "AND GOD SAID UNTO ABRAHAM AS FOR SARAI THY WIFE, THOU SHALT NOT CALL HER NAME SARAI, BUT SARAH SHALL HER NAME BE".
Verse 16:- "AND I WILL BLESS HER, AND GIVE THEE A SON ALSO OF HER; YEA, I WILL BLESS HER, AND SHE SHALL BE A MOTHER OF NATIONS; KINGS OF PEOPLE SHALL BE OF HER".
Verse 19:- "AND GOD SAID, SARAH THY WIFE SHALL BEAR THEE A SON INDEED; AND THOU SHALT CALL HIS NAME ISAAC; AND I WILL ESTABLISH MY COVENANT WITH HIM FOR AN EVERLASTING COVENANT, AND WITH HIS SEED AFTER HIM".

We note here reader that it is through the "woman" Sarah that the "blessings" of secular and other lineages are fulfilled throughout their generations. Which will bring the "COVENANT" to be established eventually in kings and nations. This agreement has been fulfilled in secular and spiritual history, unnoticed by mankind. Some parts of which we are unravelling in the lineages of kings of the British Isles, through Daniel's prophecies. The spoken words of this "agreement" or "COVENANT" were only then between God and Abraham however, and when Isaac was born it was then established through Isaac, passing it on to future generations eventually. Isaac's generations or seeds were to blossom into Jacob/Israel, and the 12 tribes of Israel, on and on throughout ancient and modern history, even though these people were punished and dispersed. Yet! That COVENANT, because of Abraham holds true even into the 20th century. Abraham, unlike the generations who were to come after him, never broke his "COVENANT" with God. So, it must stand and be fulfilled as agreed upon. It is, as Genesis 17 says, it's an EVERLASTING COVENANT. Daniel's prophecies alone prove this to be true, because he gives us such detail from history and of Israel's regathering of its peoples, and of the princes of each tribe of Israel as their destinies are fulfilled.

We must remember reader, that the "Ark of the Covenant" which the tribes of Israel carried with them throughout their wanderings, -after leaving Egypt,- contained the 10 commandments. Or called "The Testimony, or Law", written on the tables of stone. This "Ark of the Covenant" was the central object of this moveable Tabernacle in the Sinai desert. Where the children of Israel received that "COVENANT", and it was placed in a part of that tent of worship, called the "Holy of Holies". Those 10 commandments were also a "COVENANT or agreement", also between God and the children of Israel. It was made at the mountain of Horeb (Deut. 5:2), and renewed with the next generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab. (Deut. 29:1). Now, this "TESTIMONY or COVENANT" of the 10 commandments, and the "agreement" between God and Abraham, Richard the Lionheart himself was covered by. The latter "agreement" under Abraham, Richard would have disowned, not knowing he was an Israelite and Abraham's seed. -Just as thousands of Israel's children from British stock would disown that title also, in the 20th century.

The COVENANT of the 10 commandments is a different kettle of fish however, because, this COVENANT was endorsed by our Lord Jesus, to be enforced upon true Christians within the Gentile nations of and into future generations. Within whom also languished the House of Israel. We read of our Lord's endorsement of this COVENANT in Matthew 22:35-40.
Verse 35:- "THEN ONE OF THEM, WHICH WAS A LAWYER, ASKED HIM A QUESTION, TEMPTING HIM, AND SAYING".
Verse 36:- "MASTER, WHICH IS THE GREAT COMMANDMENT IN THE LAW"?
Verse 37:- "JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND WITH THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIND";
Verse 38:- "THIS IS THE FIRST AND GREAT COMMANDMENT".
Verse 39:- "AND THE SECOND IS LIKE UNTO IT, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF".
Verse 40:- "ON THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS HANG ALL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS". When we turn to Mark 7:6-23 we read how a man's heart can be far from the commandments yet! His outward appearance speaks of righteousness.
Verse 6:- "HE ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM, WELL HATH ESAIAS PROPHESIED OF YOU HYPOCRITES, AS IT IS WRITTEN, THIS PEOPLE HONOURETH ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME".
Verse 7:- "HOWBEIT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING THE DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN".
Verse 8:- "FOR LAYING ASIDE THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, YE HOLD THE TRADITION OF MEN, AS THE WASHING OF POTS AND CUPS; AND MANY OTHER SUCH LIKE THINGS TO DO".
Verse 9:- "AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, FULL WELL YE REJECT THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD, THAT YE MAY KEEP YOUR OWN TRADITION".
Verse15:- "THERE IS NOTHING FROM WITHOUT A MAN, THAT ENTERING INTO HIM CAN DEFILE HIM; BUT THE THINGS WHICH COME OUT OF HIM, THOSE ARE THEY THAT DEFILE THE MAN".
Verse 21:- "FOR FROM WITHIN, OUT OF THE HEART OF MEN PROCEED EVIL THOUGHTS, ADULTERIES, FORNICATIONS, MURDERS".
Verse 22:- "THEFTS, COVETOUSNESS, WICKEDNESS, DECEIT, LASCIVIOUSNESS, AN EVIL EYE, BLASPHEMY, PRIDE, FOOLISHNESS";
Verse 23:- "ALL THESE EVIL THINGS COME FROM WITHIN, AND DEFILE THE MAN".

In these forceful words of God and our Lord, we now superimpose the reasons "why" these Crusades came into being, and "what" power hungry motivations the Roman Papacy had. For calling the nobility to arms of the Gentile nations, to fight for Jerusalem. Remember also reader, King Richard's personal "reason" for fighting to free our Lord's supposed sepulchre from the Saracen, was but an outward show of piety, just like the Papacy. Richard's real reason was a love of fighting for his own personal pleasure and pride, his heart was far from the gentle Jesus, he supposedly represented as a Christian. Richard, the Papacy, and the nobility of those European nations were not guided by the Law of the COVENANT. They wanted power, glory, and wealth, nothing more! The Papacy taught, and enforced the doctrines and traditions of men, not the commandments of God. All these kings and rulers were defiled by the thoughts of their own hearts, they were deceitful in their needs, covetous in their desires, and foolish in their blasphemies calling the Crusades for God, and the Lord Jesus.

Richard had thieved money from his people of the British Isles for his own foolish, selfish, pride, he had no love for God nor his neighbour, his love was only for Richard! This English king, the European princes, and the Roman Papacy had murdered many people in this Crusade for their own desire for power, and their path to Jerusalem was floated on a river of blood and dead bodies, guilty and innocent all fell before their proudful swords!

A "COVENANT" of promise was made between God and His Beloved son Jesus, when it was asked of "Him" to die on that cross, for the sins of mankind in the world. Jesus, being an obedient and dutiful son went through each step of that way to the cross, fulfilling all paths. Thereby covering all the sacred Vessels of the tabernacle in his purposeful moves, to end up as the final "Oblation" of sacrifice. Jesus is the "Deliverer" of the Holy Land and of Jerusalem in the future, and not with Richard and the Crusaders.

The Jew, of the "House of Judah" who proclaimed the state of Israel in 1948, is in the land by "right" of his blessing, in the lineages of Genesis 49 and Deuteronomy 33. He has possessed his fleshly possessions with his hand on the neck of his enemies. So, Richard, in a Kingly role broke almost all the "COVENANT of the 10 commandments" endorsed by our Lord which were forged by God. His heart indeed was AGAINST that "COVENANT" as Daniel prophesied.

We come now to the last line of verse 28 of Daniel chapter 11. "AND HE SHALL DO EXPLOITS, AND RETURN TO HIS OWN LAND". The European nobles who had answered Pope Gregory VIII's call to the Crusade were, King Richard of England, King Philip of France, Conrad Duke of Montferrat, and Leopold Duke of Austria. These noble gentlemen it seems spent their time in quarrelling, which made the ideal of the Crusade a failure from the start. Richard disputed bitterly with Philip of France who packed up and left the Holy Land for France, leaving Richard to fight on alone. Winston Churchill in his history says, -"Richard cared little for Jerusalem or the ideals of the Crusades".- So, Richard was left fighting Saladin and the Saracens alone. Continuing to bask in the glory of the fight he was now able to make his own mark, in the scheme of things and of history telling of his "EXPLOITS" which were talked of throughout Europe. Of which Daniel had seen so many years ago. The word "EXPLOITS" means, they were deeds or actions of renown, a heroic act, or a great noble feat or achievement.

King Richard's personal valour in battles in the Holy Land made his name famous throughout time, with many stories embroidered and coloured out of proportion to his deeds. At Acre, it is said, he had captured 2,700 prisoners of war who Richard had executed because of non-payment of ransom.

In 1169 AD Saladin a Moslim and national leader of the Turks-or- Saracens, became also Vizier of Egypt. It was Sultan Saladin, -the infidel- who also occupied Jerusalem, and despite his cruelties he seems to have had more noble qualities than the Christian princes of Europe. -Though Richard fought for Jerusalem's shrines, he never entered the great city at all, but saw it at a distance.

So, King Richard it seems, had only one quality that of courage, which enabled him to pursue the "EXPLOITS", or deeds of renown of which Daniel speaks. He needed glory and prestige and that's all the Crusade meant to him. It also seems he had very few scruples with his courage, being willing to turn his armies on anyone Infidel or Christian, when it suited him. Indeed, Richard fulfilled the Birthright blessing of Simeon from Genesis 49, to the letter of the Law. "He was cruel, self-willed and fierce"!

Eventually, after many months of fighting Richard made a truce with the Sultan Saladin who retained the governing of Jerusalem. Christians were granted certain privileges to the holy places once more.

The importance of the Crusades served no purpose other than to strengthen the European monarchies, and the power of the Papacy. It also brought much prosperity to the ports, -especially those of Italy,- and a growth in their economics. The last sentence of verse 28 of Daniel 11. "AND RETURN TO HIS OWN LAND". In 1192 AD Richard set out on his return journey to England, but his problems were not over, because he was captured by Leopold Duke of Austria. Whom Richard had insulted during their fighting in Palestine. Leopold, took his revenge on Richard, handing him over to the Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI, who held him captive for a ransom, demanding 150,000 marks. This was twice the annual revenue of the English crown. Again, England was bled of its wealth for Richard, but only 100,000 marks could be gathered. It was accepted however, and Richard went free, reaching England in March 1194 AD.

During Richard's absence from England, his brother John (of Magna Carta fame), had seized the throne. Now Richard's return meant that he was re-crowned in London. Daniel says, Richard was to "RETURN TO HIS OWN LAND". England, as we saw before wasn't his own land. Though he had left Palestine, and his imprisonment in Europe to return to England. Richard's "OWN LAND" was Normandy and Aquitaine. He had been King of England for 10 years but had spent only 6 months of that time in that land, choosing instead to appoint good administrators of the realm in his absences. King John had acquired the throne by stealth.

In Richard's absence King Philip II of France had tried to seize Richard's "OWN LAND" in France, so now these two monarchs were at war. Again, Richard "RAISED RICHES", and knights for fighting. Crossing the English Channel once more to defend his French possessions. He never set foot in England again, spending the next 5 years defending his own lands, and raising money. Again, from England, for the same purpose as always, -Richard's needs!- He was struck down by an arrow in the neck at the age of 42 years old, near the Castle of Chalus. His tomb can be seen today at Fontevrault in France, his remains lying in his own land where his heart had always remained. As the centuries have rolled on since King Richard the Lionheart's day, his deeds and knightly accomplishments, have become heroic tales viewed out of all proportion to the truth. His deeds were one of self-indulgence and self-aggrandisement. Churchill in "The History of the English-Speaking People sums up Richard's legend in history well. "THE GLAMOUR OF RICHARD'S LIFE AND THE EMBELLISHMENTS OF HIS LEGEND. -THE MINSTREL BLONDEL, BERENGARIA OF NAVARRE, (his wife) CHATEAU GAILLARD, JERUSALEM THE GOLDEN-ALL SERVE TO ENRICH THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND. BUT THEY WERE BASED ON THE SORDID ELEMENTS OF CRUSHING TAXATION, GREAT LOSS OF LIFE, DISPUTED AND UNCERTAIN GOVERNMENT AND A NATION OF OPPRESSED ENGLISHMEN WHOSE LOYALTY TO THEIR KING WAS NEVER IN DOUBT-A HIGH TESTIMONIAL TO THE POWER OF ANGEVIN KINGSHIP".

Did you notice reader that Daniel 11:28 had 2 sentences which repeated the words,- "HE RETURN INTO HIS LAND WITH GREAT RICHES,-and- DO EXPLOITS AND RETURN TO HIS OWN LAND? -Daniel repeats these occasions twice, not just for clarity of forecasting prophecy, and the future of this king's destiny. But because we were unravelling two separate incidents in this king's life, with the Crusades -(Which were against the Laws of the covenant),- dividing the two reasons for Richard's return to his own land twice.

This land of France, especially Normandy, played such a large role in England's history. It now links us again to Daniel 11:29. Making verses 27-29 a block of forecasted destiny in the processes of time between these 2 nations.