Although the Bible was written by men, men were used by God to write it. Like holding a pen to write the words, God's Spirit held the man while His words poured out of the oracle like ink out of a pen onto the page.
Why would anyone believe that?
There is plenty of proof for it! And it's all in the Bible. All you have to do is read it to find the proof.
First of all, you'll find miracles that have been recorded in the Bible to prove its veracity. There are dozens of miracles that were witnessed by many and passed down from generation to generation to encourage faith.
In fact, the first verse of the first chapter of the first book of the Bible records a miracle:
Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth."
That one sentence, containing ten words, has sparked controversy and arguments down through the ages.
More evidence that the Bible is God's Word is prophecy. The Bible is full of it! Prophecy proves that what was written by the prophets came directly from the mouth of God. And what makes prophecy prophecy is the fulfilling of prophecy.
When a prophecy has been fulfilled, it proves that it was indeed a prophecy and that the man who recorded it was a prophet. Prophecy also shows us where we are on God's timeline. The prophecies yet to be fulfilled are very few.
The reason why we call the prophets of the Bible prophets is because their prophecies have been fulfilled throughout history, exactly as they were predicted. Only God can do that because only God is "Omnipresent" (existing in every time).
(That's not to say that false prophets don't also prophecy the future accurately. Many false prophets are gone out into the world and we need the help of the Holy Spirit to be able to discern between godly prophets and evil ones.)
The words of Jesus are enough evidence of themselves. His words are spirit and life. He spoke like no other man has ever spoken.
"Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's and unto God the things which are God's."
"Suffer little children and forbid them not to come unto Me for of such is the kingdom of God."
"I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by Me."
"Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosom, for with what measure you mete, it shall be meted unto you."
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me."
"Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth."
The Bible can prove itself to you. But, you have to be willing to read it.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Friday, December 5, 2014
The Last Chapter of Daniel
Daniel 12
1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
("At that time" is talking about the previous verse in chapter 11. "...yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." That was the last part of the last verse.
This confirms that this person they are referring to here has not yet arrived on the world political scene. It's definitely not Antiochus Epiphanes because Michael hasn't stood up yet. -- Not to my knowledge, anyway.
When Michael "stands up" there shall be a "time of trouble" that has never happened before. Again, this is the "Great Tribulation" Jesus spoke of.
This is an encouraging verse because it says "thy people shall be delivered". If your name is in the book and you happen to be alive at that time, you'll be delivered, one way or the other. These are exciting times, people! And nothing to be afraid of if you've done your homework!)
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
(How do we "turn many to righteousness"? Well, considering that humans have no righteousness of their own, we turn them to Jesus! We share the Good News of salvation.)
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
(This book has been "sealed" until now. Now is when things will begin to open up so the people that need to know will be able to read and understand it.
"many shall run to and fro" - just look up and imagine how much sky traffic is going by all the time these days, not to mention the cars running to and fro.
"knowledge shall be increased" - Until 1900, knowledge was doubling every 100 years but now, they say our knowledge is doubling every13 months!)
5 Then I Daniel looked, and behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.
6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be fore a time, times, and an half: and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
(A "time" is a year, according to other Bible prophecy. This "time of trouble" will last 3 1/2 years.)
8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
(As we read in chapter 11:31, the Antichrist will take away the daily sacrifice and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. The time remaining after that will be 1,290 days. That's a little more than 3 1/2 years.)
12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
(If you're still alive at that time, you will be blessed!)
13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
Thus concludes the book of Daniel. Most of the prophecies contained in Daniel have been fulfilled. Like a cup of coffee that's full almost all the way to the brim, there is only a little tiny drop of prophecy yet to be fulfilled! And we may be here to see it!
1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
("At that time" is talking about the previous verse in chapter 11. "...yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." That was the last part of the last verse.
This confirms that this person they are referring to here has not yet arrived on the world political scene. It's definitely not Antiochus Epiphanes because Michael hasn't stood up yet. -- Not to my knowledge, anyway.
When Michael "stands up" there shall be a "time of trouble" that has never happened before. Again, this is the "Great Tribulation" Jesus spoke of.
This is an encouraging verse because it says "thy people shall be delivered". If your name is in the book and you happen to be alive at that time, you'll be delivered, one way or the other. These are exciting times, people! And nothing to be afraid of if you've done your homework!)
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
(How do we "turn many to righteousness"? Well, considering that humans have no righteousness of their own, we turn them to Jesus! We share the Good News of salvation.)
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
(This book has been "sealed" until now. Now is when things will begin to open up so the people that need to know will be able to read and understand it.
"many shall run to and fro" - just look up and imagine how much sky traffic is going by all the time these days, not to mention the cars running to and fro.
"knowledge shall be increased" - Until 1900, knowledge was doubling every 100 years but now, they say our knowledge is doubling every13 months!)
5 Then I Daniel looked, and behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.
6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be fore a time, times, and an half: and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
(A "time" is a year, according to other Bible prophecy. This "time of trouble" will last 3 1/2 years.)
8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
(As we read in chapter 11:31, the Antichrist will take away the daily sacrifice and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. The time remaining after that will be 1,290 days. That's a little more than 3 1/2 years.)
12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
(If you're still alive at that time, you will be blessed!)
13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
Thus concludes the book of Daniel. Most of the prophecies contained in Daniel have been fulfilled. Like a cup of coffee that's full almost all the way to the brim, there is only a little tiny drop of prophecy yet to be fulfilled! And we may be here to see it!
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Prophecies Concerning the Antichrist
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.
(Some people may think that this verse is referring to Antiochus Epiphanes who succeeded Seleucus Philopator. However, if we take into consideration the preceding chapters in Daniel, we'll note that the dreams covered the entire history of the world, ending with the ten toes.
So, although Antiochus Epiphanes may have partially fulfilled the prophecies concerning this "vile" person, it seems reasonable to believe that another possibly even more vile person will rise up to fully complete the prophecy, closing the loop to end all of the history of the world.
Antiochus Epiphanes was a precursor to the Antichrist and demonstrated what kind of person we should expect. In a sense, the coming "beast" will have the same attributes as ancient Rome's dictators. Nevertheless, he shall come in peaceably. His theme will be "World Peace".
We can also note that this chapter uses the words "the time of the end" (verse 35 and verse 40) which usually refers to the end of time as we know it today. Then, Daniel chapter 12 begins at the "Great Tribulation" that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:21.)
22 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.
(A flood could represent a crowd of people or a huge army and the prince of the covenant is probably someone in favour of the seven-year peace covenant that is signed.
[Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week...]
I'm going to go out on a limb here and take a guess that the "prince of the covenant" is the Pope, because he's really determined to have a unification of all the world's religions, which is abominable. This prince could also be a major religious leader of Israel.)
23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.
(The Antichrist is often referred to as being deceptive and it looks like he's quite an artful liar. To become strong with "a small people" he'll deceive them in some way, possibly by professing to believe in their god.)
24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strongholds, even for a time.
(Again, the word peaceably is used here. Peace is a keyword in politics these days, that is "peace" and "security". Look for someone who is sharing the wealth with his armies and boasting of his future conquests.)
25 And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.
(Who is the king of the south? Your guess is as good as mine. My guess is the king of Saudi Arabia or his son the prince of Mecca or one of those kings in the south. I'm thinking it's not a king of Egypt or Africa. But it's a king of the south anyway.)
26 Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.
(Sadly, another huge loss of life.)
27 And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.
(This is not an uncommon sight, two politicians lying to each other at a table.)
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.
(The Antichrist is starting to resent the covenant that he confirmed, which was probably concerning Israel.)
29 At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.
30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
(The ships of Chittim or Kittim are ships from the coastal areas surrounding the Mediterranean. These may even be American or British ships. They will be attacking the Antichrist. But the AC will continue to gather like-minded people to himself to break the holy covenant, thus beginning the Tribulation of 3 1/2 years.)
31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.
(This is a hugely significant sign to watch out for! In Matthew 24, Jesus tells us when we see the abomination of desolation, flee! Don't hang around waiting to see what comes next! GET OUTTA THERE. And FAST. RUN! Don't even stop to pack a bag.
It seems likely that the "sanctuary of strength" will be the temple that the Jews are intending to build in Jerusalem near the temple mount near the Dome of the Rock. And this is where the Antichrist will place his idol for everyone to worship.)
32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.
(Do you know your God? Have you been getting to know Him?)
33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct man: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.
(If you understand what's going on, you have a responsibility to instruct others, right?)
34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.
(Those who fall will be helped and when God helps you, it's not just a little help. Watch out for spies.)
35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
36 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.
(The Antichrist will exalt himself above every god. This seems to be a trend with world leaders only this guy is really stuck on himself big time. God's going to allow him his moment in the spotlight.)
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
(He's just not into women. Maybe he doesn't want to be distracted and maybe he sees himself as above all of those needs of the flesh.)
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
(So, he does regard the "God of forces" = Satan.)
39 Thus shall he do in the most strongholds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.
40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
(The king of the south will both come against the Antichrist. So, I guess his popularity polls are shrinking.)
41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
(The glorious land is probably Palestine or Israel. Edom, Moab and Ammon are areas to the Northwest of Saudi Arabia.)
42 He shall stretch forth his hand also, upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
(He shall come to his end. After all, he's only human. And that will be the end of life as we know it. But with every ending there comes a new beginning!)
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.
(Some people may think that this verse is referring to Antiochus Epiphanes who succeeded Seleucus Philopator. However, if we take into consideration the preceding chapters in Daniel, we'll note that the dreams covered the entire history of the world, ending with the ten toes.
So, although Antiochus Epiphanes may have partially fulfilled the prophecies concerning this "vile" person, it seems reasonable to believe that another possibly even more vile person will rise up to fully complete the prophecy, closing the loop to end all of the history of the world.
Antiochus Epiphanes was a precursor to the Antichrist and demonstrated what kind of person we should expect. In a sense, the coming "beast" will have the same attributes as ancient Rome's dictators. Nevertheless, he shall come in peaceably. His theme will be "World Peace".
We can also note that this chapter uses the words "the time of the end" (verse 35 and verse 40) which usually refers to the end of time as we know it today. Then, Daniel chapter 12 begins at the "Great Tribulation" that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:21.)
22 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.
(A flood could represent a crowd of people or a huge army and the prince of the covenant is probably someone in favour of the seven-year peace covenant that is signed.
[Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week...]
I'm going to go out on a limb here and take a guess that the "prince of the covenant" is the Pope, because he's really determined to have a unification of all the world's religions, which is abominable. This prince could also be a major religious leader of Israel.)
23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.
(The Antichrist is often referred to as being deceptive and it looks like he's quite an artful liar. To become strong with "a small people" he'll deceive them in some way, possibly by professing to believe in their god.)
24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strongholds, even for a time.
(Again, the word peaceably is used here. Peace is a keyword in politics these days, that is "peace" and "security". Look for someone who is sharing the wealth with his armies and boasting of his future conquests.)
25 And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.
(Who is the king of the south? Your guess is as good as mine. My guess is the king of Saudi Arabia or his son the prince of Mecca or one of those kings in the south. I'm thinking it's not a king of Egypt or Africa. But it's a king of the south anyway.)
26 Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.
(Sadly, another huge loss of life.)
27 And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.
(This is not an uncommon sight, two politicians lying to each other at a table.)
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.
(The Antichrist is starting to resent the covenant that he confirmed, which was probably concerning Israel.)
29 At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.
30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
(The ships of Chittim or Kittim are ships from the coastal areas surrounding the Mediterranean. These may even be American or British ships. They will be attacking the Antichrist. But the AC will continue to gather like-minded people to himself to break the holy covenant, thus beginning the Tribulation of 3 1/2 years.)
31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.
(This is a hugely significant sign to watch out for! In Matthew 24, Jesus tells us when we see the abomination of desolation, flee! Don't hang around waiting to see what comes next! GET OUTTA THERE. And FAST. RUN! Don't even stop to pack a bag.
It seems likely that the "sanctuary of strength" will be the temple that the Jews are intending to build in Jerusalem near the temple mount near the Dome of the Rock. And this is where the Antichrist will place his idol for everyone to worship.)
32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.
(Do you know your God? Have you been getting to know Him?)
33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct man: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.
(If you understand what's going on, you have a responsibility to instruct others, right?)
34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.
(Those who fall will be helped and when God helps you, it's not just a little help. Watch out for spies.)
35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
36 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.
(The Antichrist will exalt himself above every god. This seems to be a trend with world leaders only this guy is really stuck on himself big time. God's going to allow him his moment in the spotlight.)
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
(He's just not into women. Maybe he doesn't want to be distracted and maybe he sees himself as above all of those needs of the flesh.)
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
(So, he does regard the "God of forces" = Satan.)
39 Thus shall he do in the most strongholds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.
40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
(The king of the south will both come against the Antichrist. So, I guess his popularity polls are shrinking.)
41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
(The glorious land is probably Palestine or Israel. Edom, Moab and Ammon are areas to the Northwest of Saudi Arabia.)
42 He shall stretch forth his hand also, upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
(He shall come to his end. After all, he's only human. And that will be the end of life as we know it. But with every ending there comes a new beginning!)
Monday, December 1, 2014
Cleopatra Shows up in the Book of Daniel! (Daniel 11:17)
We're reading prophecies Daniel received about his future and our past.
11 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.
(The "King of the South" is Ptolemy Philopator, who succeeded Ptolemy Euergetes. He fought against the "King of the North" who was Antiochus and both armies set forth a great multitude. The multitude of Antiochus's army [sixty two (some say seventy two) thousand foot soldiers, six thousand horses, and a hundred and two elephants] was given into Philopator's hand.)
12 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.
(Antiochus escaped out of his hand and Ptolemy Philopator didn't use his advantage to gain more territory but was contented with recovering his previous holdings.)
13 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.
(After the death of Ptolemy Philopator, Antiochus returned 14 years later and set forth a greater multitude.)
14 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.
(The king of Egypt, Ptolemy Epiphanes was only five years old. Taking advantage of this, Antiochus king of Syria, and Philip king of Macedon, joined in alliance together, to seize upon his kingdom, and divide it between them. Antiochus began the war in Coelesyria and Phoenicia, and Philip went against Egypt and Samos.
"robbers of thy people": Agathocles and Agathoclea laid a scheme of taking the regency into their hands and were hated by the Egyptians, which caused insurrections and seditions among themselves; and Scopas, a general in the army of the king of Egypt, made a plan to take the government to himself. But they failed.)
15 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.
(Antiochus the great came into Coelesyria and Phoenicia and beat Scopas, bringing all the cities that Ptolemy had in Coelesyria into subjection to him; and these are the "most fenced cities" he "cast up a mount" or placed battering engines before them to cast stones into the besieged cities.
"and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand": Noone could stand against the power of Antiochus. When Scopas was beaten by Antiochus at Jordan, he fled to Sidon with ten thousand soldiers, where he was shut up in a close siege; and though Ptolemy sent his hoicest commanders to his relief, Eropus, Menocles and Damoxenus, they were not able to raise the siege, but by famine were forced to surrender; and he and his men were dismissed naked.)
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.
(Antiochus the Great, who came against Ptolemy king of Egypt, in those parts where he came, did as he pleased, took cities, and disposed of them at his pleasure. He stood in the "glorious land" of Judea and the Jews readily submitted to him.)
17 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.
(These events are well known. Antiochus collected all his forces with a view to the conquest of Egypt, then, alarmed by the progress of Rome and the overthrow of Philip of Macedon, he changed his plan. He now endeavoured to get Ptolemy to be his ally, and gave him his daughter, Cleopatra to wife. Her dowry was Coele-Syria. His idea was that she would remain always on his side, would be his spy in the court of her husband, and would always lead the policy of Egypt in the lines he wished. His hopes were frustrated. She was not corrupted so as to be false to her husband. In proof of this, when her father's armies were defeated by the Romans, she joined with her husband in sending congratulations to the Senate of Rome.)
18 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.
(Antiochus the Great took advantage of the defeat inflicted on Philip of Macedon by the Romans, to seize many of the islands of the archipelago. He took possession of all the Asiatic dominions of Philip, crossed into Europe and seized Thrace. The Romans demanded that he should retire from all the former dominions of Philip. He refused, and war ensued, in which, after being driven out of Europe, he was totally defeated at Magnesia by Lucius Scipio, and compelled to surrender all his dominions west of the Taurus.)
19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
(Deeply in debt for the expenses of the war which Antiochus agreed to pay, he attempted to rob the temple of Jupiter Elymaeus! But, the inhabitants got together, and slew him, with all his soldiers. Antiochus the Great never returned to Syria, but died in the province of Elymais.)
20 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.
(Seleucus Philopator, the eldest son of Antiochus the Great might well be called a raiser of taxes, being a covetous lover of money above all things who laid heavy taxes on his subjects, to gratify his avarice and also to raise the thousand talents yearly to pay the Romans. He reigned only twelve years and was poisoned to death, so he didn't die in battle.)
Thus ends the fulfilled prophecies in this chapter. It inspires my faith in the unfailing Word of God when I see how accurately in the smallest detail prophecy has been fulfilled throughout history.
Verse 21 of Daniel 11 is the beginning of prophecies that are yet to be fulfilled!
11 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.
(The "King of the South" is Ptolemy Philopator, who succeeded Ptolemy Euergetes. He fought against the "King of the North" who was Antiochus and both armies set forth a great multitude. The multitude of Antiochus's army [sixty two (some say seventy two) thousand foot soldiers, six thousand horses, and a hundred and two elephants] was given into Philopator's hand.)
12 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.
(Antiochus escaped out of his hand and Ptolemy Philopator didn't use his advantage to gain more territory but was contented with recovering his previous holdings.)
13 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.
(After the death of Ptolemy Philopator, Antiochus returned 14 years later and set forth a greater multitude.)
14 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.
(The king of Egypt, Ptolemy Epiphanes was only five years old. Taking advantage of this, Antiochus king of Syria, and Philip king of Macedon, joined in alliance together, to seize upon his kingdom, and divide it between them. Antiochus began the war in Coelesyria and Phoenicia, and Philip went against Egypt and Samos.
"robbers of thy people": Agathocles and Agathoclea laid a scheme of taking the regency into their hands and were hated by the Egyptians, which caused insurrections and seditions among themselves; and Scopas, a general in the army of the king of Egypt, made a plan to take the government to himself. But they failed.)
15 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.
(Antiochus the great came into Coelesyria and Phoenicia and beat Scopas, bringing all the cities that Ptolemy had in Coelesyria into subjection to him; and these are the "most fenced cities" he "cast up a mount" or placed battering engines before them to cast stones into the besieged cities.
"and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand": Noone could stand against the power of Antiochus. When Scopas was beaten by Antiochus at Jordan, he fled to Sidon with ten thousand soldiers, where he was shut up in a close siege; and though Ptolemy sent his hoicest commanders to his relief, Eropus, Menocles and Damoxenus, they were not able to raise the siege, but by famine were forced to surrender; and he and his men were dismissed naked.)
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.
(Antiochus the Great, who came against Ptolemy king of Egypt, in those parts where he came, did as he pleased, took cities, and disposed of them at his pleasure. He stood in the "glorious land" of Judea and the Jews readily submitted to him.)
17 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.
(These events are well known. Antiochus collected all his forces with a view to the conquest of Egypt, then, alarmed by the progress of Rome and the overthrow of Philip of Macedon, he changed his plan. He now endeavoured to get Ptolemy to be his ally, and gave him his daughter, Cleopatra to wife. Her dowry was Coele-Syria. His idea was that she would remain always on his side, would be his spy in the court of her husband, and would always lead the policy of Egypt in the lines he wished. His hopes were frustrated. She was not corrupted so as to be false to her husband. In proof of this, when her father's armies were defeated by the Romans, she joined with her husband in sending congratulations to the Senate of Rome.)
18 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.
(Antiochus the Great took advantage of the defeat inflicted on Philip of Macedon by the Romans, to seize many of the islands of the archipelago. He took possession of all the Asiatic dominions of Philip, crossed into Europe and seized Thrace. The Romans demanded that he should retire from all the former dominions of Philip. He refused, and war ensued, in which, after being driven out of Europe, he was totally defeated at Magnesia by Lucius Scipio, and compelled to surrender all his dominions west of the Taurus.)
19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
(Deeply in debt for the expenses of the war which Antiochus agreed to pay, he attempted to rob the temple of Jupiter Elymaeus! But, the inhabitants got together, and slew him, with all his soldiers. Antiochus the Great never returned to Syria, but died in the province of Elymais.)
20 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.
(Seleucus Philopator, the eldest son of Antiochus the Great might well be called a raiser of taxes, being a covetous lover of money above all things who laid heavy taxes on his subjects, to gratify his avarice and also to raise the thousand talents yearly to pay the Romans. He reigned only twelve years and was poisoned to death, so he didn't die in battle.)
Thus ends the fulfilled prophecies in this chapter. It inspires my faith in the unfailing Word of God when I see how accurately in the smallest detail prophecy has been fulfilled throughout history.
Verse 21 of Daniel 11 is the beginning of prophecies that are yet to be fulfilled!
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Daniel 11
Verses 2 through 20 in chapter 11 are prophecies about ancient history. It is history that has already taken place. These prophecies are accurate in every detail. Of course they are. That's because our God is "Omniscient" (all knowing).
So, before getting into the prophecies that concern our immediate future, I'll attempt to tackle the past. Here goes nothing:
Daniel 11
1 Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.
(Remember in chapter 6 that Darius set Daniel over his kingdom as the first president. [Dan. 6:2] It was Darius who was so pleased that Daniel had survived the lions' den. In fact, for that reason, Darius made a decree that everyone in his kingdom should fear Daniel's God. So, there was a strong bond between them.
This first verse is the "messenger" speaking, telling Daniel that he was helping Darius. So, Darius the Mede had God on his side, at least for a season.)
2 And now will I shew 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.
(This verse is a little confusing to me because it talks about three kings that shall "stand up" and a fourth, whereas, according to history, there were more than three succeeding kings and rulers before Alexander the Great. So, another Biblical historian puts it this way:
"Cyrus reigned after the death of Darius the Mede, his uncle; Cambyses, the son of Cyrus; and Darius Hystaspes. There was another between Cambyses and Darius, called Smerdis the magician, who reigned but seven months, and being an impostor is left out, as he is in Ptolemy's canon; not that these were all the kings of Persia after Darius the Mede; for, according to the above canon, there reigned six more after them; but because these kings had a connection with the Jews, and under them their affairs had different turns and changes, and also because these kings "stood", and the monarchy under them was strong and flourishing, whereas afterwards it began to decline; and chiefly it is for the sake of the fourth king that these are observed, who laid the foundation of the destruction of the Persian monarchy by the Grecians.
And the fourth shall be far richer than they all: this is Xerxes, who exceeded his predecessors in wealth and riches.")
(However, this is what I came up with, although I could be wrong. It seemed to me that after Darius came his son, Xerxes, then Artaxerxes I, Artaxerxes II, Artaxerxes III and Darius III. Nevertheless, with all the debate about factual ancient history, maybe those of you who are concerned can do some research on your own. I believe the prophecies are accurate, but I just can't identify exactly which character is which!)
3 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.
(Alexander the Great fits this bill. Everyone seems to agree on this! Phew.)
4 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.
(Alexander's kingdom was indeed divided up toward the four winds:
Ptolemy reigned in Egypt to the south; Antigonus in Asia to the north; Seleucus in Babylon and Syria to the east; and Cassander in Macedonia to the west:
It was not to his posterity and not left to his predecessors.)
5 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.
(Who is the "king of the south"? Egypt lay to the south of Syria and the general who took Egypt after Alexander died was Ptolemy Lagus. He was a powerful king who reigned over Egypt, Lybia, Cyrene, Ethiopia, Arabia, Phoenicia, Coelesyria, Cyprus, and several isles in the Aegean sea, and many cities in Greece.
Who "shall be strong above him"? Seleucus Nicator, afterwards called king of the north, ruling Syria which lay to the north of Egypt was more powerful than Ptolemy.)
6 And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; (There had been many wars between these kings but they eventually entered into alliances with each other.)
for the king's 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.
(A marriage between Bernice, daughter of Ptolemy Philadephus king of Egypt and Antiochus king of Syria was supposed to help put an end to discord. However, the marriage didn't work as much as was planned.
On his engagement to Berenice, Antiochus divorced his former wife, Laodice, and disinherited her son, Seleucus Callinicus. However, when Ptolemy died, Antiochus took back Laodice, who then poisoned him, and caused Berenice and her son to be put to death, and raised her own son, Seleucus Nicator, to the throne. [I believe that's what you would call 'vengeance'!])
7 But out of a branch of her roots (a family member) 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:
(Bernice's brother, Ptolemy Euergetes avenged her death by overrunning Syria all the way to the Euphrates.)
8 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.
9 So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.
10 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.
(The sons of Seleucus Callinicus, who died by a fall from his horse, were irritated by what Ptolemy Euergetes had done in revenge of his sister, taking part of their father's kingdom from him, so joined together, and recovered their dominions from him. They were Seleucus Ceraunus and Antiochus.)
11 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 was Ptolemy Philopator.)
Verse by verse, researching and coming up with records of history, one can discover that the Bible contains thousands of prophecies that have already been fulfilled to the letter! AMAZING! Right?
So, before getting into the prophecies that concern our immediate future, I'll attempt to tackle the past. Here goes nothing:
Daniel 11
1 Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.
(Remember in chapter 6 that Darius set Daniel over his kingdom as the first president. [Dan. 6:2] It was Darius who was so pleased that Daniel had survived the lions' den. In fact, for that reason, Darius made a decree that everyone in his kingdom should fear Daniel's God. So, there was a strong bond between them.
This first verse is the "messenger" speaking, telling Daniel that he was helping Darius. So, Darius the Mede had God on his side, at least for a season.)
2 And now will I shew 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.
(This verse is a little confusing to me because it talks about three kings that shall "stand up" and a fourth, whereas, according to history, there were more than three succeeding kings and rulers before Alexander the Great. So, another Biblical historian puts it this way:
"Cyrus reigned after the death of Darius the Mede, his uncle; Cambyses, the son of Cyrus; and Darius Hystaspes. There was another between Cambyses and Darius, called Smerdis the magician, who reigned but seven months, and being an impostor is left out, as he is in Ptolemy's canon; not that these were all the kings of Persia after Darius the Mede; for, according to the above canon, there reigned six more after them; but because these kings had a connection with the Jews, and under them their affairs had different turns and changes, and also because these kings "stood", and the monarchy under them was strong and flourishing, whereas afterwards it began to decline; and chiefly it is for the sake of the fourth king that these are observed, who laid the foundation of the destruction of the Persian monarchy by the Grecians.
And the fourth shall be far richer than they all: this is Xerxes, who exceeded his predecessors in wealth and riches.")
(However, this is what I came up with, although I could be wrong. It seemed to me that after Darius came his son, Xerxes, then Artaxerxes I, Artaxerxes II, Artaxerxes III and Darius III. Nevertheless, with all the debate about factual ancient history, maybe those of you who are concerned can do some research on your own. I believe the prophecies are accurate, but I just can't identify exactly which character is which!)
3 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.
(Alexander the Great fits this bill. Everyone seems to agree on this! Phew.)
4 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.
(Alexander's kingdom was indeed divided up toward the four winds:
Ptolemy reigned in Egypt to the south; Antigonus in Asia to the north; Seleucus in Babylon and Syria to the east; and Cassander in Macedonia to the west:
It was not to his posterity and not left to his predecessors.)
5 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.
(Who is the "king of the south"? Egypt lay to the south of Syria and the general who took Egypt after Alexander died was Ptolemy Lagus. He was a powerful king who reigned over Egypt, Lybia, Cyrene, Ethiopia, Arabia, Phoenicia, Coelesyria, Cyprus, and several isles in the Aegean sea, and many cities in Greece.
Who "shall be strong above him"? Seleucus Nicator, afterwards called king of the north, ruling Syria which lay to the north of Egypt was more powerful than Ptolemy.)
6 And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; (There had been many wars between these kings but they eventually entered into alliances with each other.)
for the king's 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.
(A marriage between Bernice, daughter of Ptolemy Philadephus king of Egypt and Antiochus king of Syria was supposed to help put an end to discord. However, the marriage didn't work as much as was planned.
On his engagement to Berenice, Antiochus divorced his former wife, Laodice, and disinherited her son, Seleucus Callinicus. However, when Ptolemy died, Antiochus took back Laodice, who then poisoned him, and caused Berenice and her son to be put to death, and raised her own son, Seleucus Nicator, to the throne. [I believe that's what you would call 'vengeance'!])
7 But out of a branch of her roots (a family member) 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:
(Bernice's brother, Ptolemy Euergetes avenged her death by overrunning Syria all the way to the Euphrates.)
8 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.
9 So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.
10 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.
(The sons of Seleucus Callinicus, who died by a fall from his horse, were irritated by what Ptolemy Euergetes had done in revenge of his sister, taking part of their father's kingdom from him, so joined together, and recovered their dominions from him. They were Seleucus Ceraunus and Antiochus.)
11 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 was Ptolemy Philopator.)
Verse by verse, researching and coming up with records of history, one can discover that the Bible contains thousands of prophecies that have already been fulfilled to the letter! AMAZING! Right?
Daniel 10
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
(Daniel is not mourning for himself but for the spiritually backslidden condition of his nation.)
3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
5 The I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
(It seems to me that this description is a lot like the description of Jesus in Revelation 1:13 - 16
"And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.")
7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
(From the first day that Daniel started to pray, the answer was on its way, but it took three weeks to break through because of the spiritual battle taking place. The prince of Persia is a spiritual prince, given power over the unseen beings of darkness where Daniel was staying. The Archangel Michael came to help win the battle!)
14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
(The latter days are on the way very soon! Daniel was seeing thousands of years into the future! No wonder he felt weak and sick.)
15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
(Daniel is starting to see into the spiritual realm and getting ready to receive a very important prophecy!)
2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
(Daniel is not mourning for himself but for the spiritually backslidden condition of his nation.)
3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
5 The I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
(It seems to me that this description is a lot like the description of Jesus in Revelation 1:13 - 16
"And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.")
7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
(From the first day that Daniel started to pray, the answer was on its way, but it took three weeks to break through because of the spiritual battle taking place. The prince of Persia is a spiritual prince, given power over the unseen beings of darkness where Daniel was staying. The Archangel Michael came to help win the battle!)
14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
(The latter days are on the way very soon! Daniel was seeing thousands of years into the future! No wonder he felt weak and sick.)
15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
(Daniel is starting to see into the spiritual realm and getting ready to receive a very important prophecy!)
Friday, November 28, 2014
Daniel 9
Chapter 9 is not an easy read for the beginner but it's well worth the effort because in it we are informed about the last seven years. This is a vital part of the puzzle for all who will be alive on the earth during that time. And, even if you can't wade through this entire chapter, don't miss the very last verse!
Daniel 9
1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;
2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
(This is some serious prayer and focusing on God. And Daniel gets results! Not just for himself but for everyone down throughout history! Especially us!)
4 And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love Him, and to them that keep His commandments;
5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:
6 Neither have we hearkened unto Thy servants the prophets, which spake in Thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto Thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither Thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.
(As we know from the first book of Daniel, Daniel was just a boy when he was captured, but he realized even then that God had allowed the captivity to happen to Israel because of their sins. Israel had turned its back on God and was worshipping idols. They were totally backslidden. So Daniel is praying for his nation as he faces towards Jerusalem.)
8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against Thee.
9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against Him;
10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets.
11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed Thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey Thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against Him.
12 And He hath confirmed His words, which He spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.
(So God allowed Babylon to destroy Jerusalem and kill, capture and plunder Israel. But, that doesn't mean that Babylon will go unpunished... in the future. Take a look at what's happening in Babylon (Iraq) today! According to prophecy, Babylon will be left desolate and empty.)
13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand Thy truth.
14 Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the Lord our God is righteous in all His works which He doeth: for we obeyed not His voice.
15 And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought Thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten Thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
(God does not like to be ignored.)
16 O Lord, according to all Thy righteousness, I beseech Thee, let Thine anger and Thy fury be turned away from Thy city Jerusalem, Thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our father, Jerusalem and Thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.
(God's people are supposed to set the example of obedience to God, not cause their heathen neighbours to stumble by being a bad example.)
17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of Thy servant, and his supplications, and cause Thy face to shine upon Thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.
18 O my God, incline Thine ear, and hear; open Thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by Thy name: for we do not present our supplications before Thee for our righteousnesses, but for Thy great mercies.
(Daniel is really getting this right! He knows that only God is good and none of us are righteous.)
19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for Thine own sake, O my God: for Thy city and Thy people are called by Thy name.
20 And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God;
21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
23 A the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
(It's a thrilling experience to be told that you are greatly loved of God, especially being told by one of God's archangels!)
24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
(God is telling Daniel here that his prayers have been answered and that Jerusalem will be rebuilt! He is also telling him when Jesus [the Messiah the Prince] will come. He will come 7 weeks and 3 score and 2 weeks from the time of the commandment to build Jerusalem.
In 445BC, Artazerxes Longinus gave the commandment to Nehemiah to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.
Since 3 score is 3x20, that means 69 weeks altogether. 7+60+2=69 weeks. In this case, a week is a group of 7 and it must be referring to a group of 7 years, because, we know from history that Jesus was crucified in 32AD, which was approximately 69 weeks or 483 Jewish years later.
This doesn't add up in our solar years today, but according to the Jewish calendar, there are 360 days in a year. That means 483 Jewish years = 476 solar years plus 27 days. It brings us up to the very year of the crucifixion.)
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
(The people of "the prince that shall come" shall destroy the city and the sanctuary... is referring to the Roman Empire that destroyed the temple after Christ's resurrection. But, as we see from the two dreams about the world kingdoms, Rome is a prototype of the final ruling kingdom.)
27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
(Who is this guy who will confirm the "covenant" with "many" for one week?
If we look at world history the way it was depicted in the dreams of Daniel chapters 2 and 7, there are only going to be 5 world powers: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and the final world government ruled by who we refer to as "The Antichrist" because he will be against Christ.
This future world leader will start off his rule with a seven-year covenant or peace treaty or agreement with many. And in the midst of the "week" or seven years, he will break the covenant.
In Matthew 24:15 & 16, Jesus warns us,
"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains..."
Q: How will we know when that last week has begun?
A: We will know when the covenant has been signed. (Stay close to the Lord and be on the alert. There is a lot of talk these days about a peace agreement being drawn up for Israel. Another thing to keep our eyes on is the unifying of all the religions. This in itself is an abomination to God.)
Q: How do we know that there will be exactly seven years left?
A: Coincidentally, the world dictator or the "beast" of Revelation draws up a seven-year agreement, but the Bible also predicts that his end will come at the end of that seven-year contract! It also tells us that the "Tribulation" will continue for exactly 3 1/2 years, stated in weeks and in days just to make it clear.
Q: Where are we now in Bible prophecy?
A: I don't believe the last seven years have begun yet. Ten nations will join together with the rising world dictator and we are just beginning to see which nations they are.
Daniel 9
1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;
2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
(This is some serious prayer and focusing on God. And Daniel gets results! Not just for himself but for everyone down throughout history! Especially us!)
4 And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love Him, and to them that keep His commandments;
5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:
6 Neither have we hearkened unto Thy servants the prophets, which spake in Thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto Thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither Thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.
(As we know from the first book of Daniel, Daniel was just a boy when he was captured, but he realized even then that God had allowed the captivity to happen to Israel because of their sins. Israel had turned its back on God and was worshipping idols. They were totally backslidden. So Daniel is praying for his nation as he faces towards Jerusalem.)
8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against Thee.
9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against Him;
10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets.
11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed Thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey Thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against Him.
12 And He hath confirmed His words, which He spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.
(So God allowed Babylon to destroy Jerusalem and kill, capture and plunder Israel. But, that doesn't mean that Babylon will go unpunished... in the future. Take a look at what's happening in Babylon (Iraq) today! According to prophecy, Babylon will be left desolate and empty.)
13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand Thy truth.
14 Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the Lord our God is righteous in all His works which He doeth: for we obeyed not His voice.
15 And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought Thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten Thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
(God does not like to be ignored.)
16 O Lord, according to all Thy righteousness, I beseech Thee, let Thine anger and Thy fury be turned away from Thy city Jerusalem, Thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our father, Jerusalem and Thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.
(God's people are supposed to set the example of obedience to God, not cause their heathen neighbours to stumble by being a bad example.)
17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of Thy servant, and his supplications, and cause Thy face to shine upon Thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.
18 O my God, incline Thine ear, and hear; open Thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by Thy name: for we do not present our supplications before Thee for our righteousnesses, but for Thy great mercies.
(Daniel is really getting this right! He knows that only God is good and none of us are righteous.)
19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for Thine own sake, O my God: for Thy city and Thy people are called by Thy name.
20 And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God;
21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
23 A the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
(It's a thrilling experience to be told that you are greatly loved of God, especially being told by one of God's archangels!)
24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
(God is telling Daniel here that his prayers have been answered and that Jerusalem will be rebuilt! He is also telling him when Jesus [the Messiah the Prince] will come. He will come 7 weeks and 3 score and 2 weeks from the time of the commandment to build Jerusalem.
In 445BC, Artazerxes Longinus gave the commandment to Nehemiah to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.
Since 3 score is 3x20, that means 69 weeks altogether. 7+60+2=69 weeks. In this case, a week is a group of 7 and it must be referring to a group of 7 years, because, we know from history that Jesus was crucified in 32AD, which was approximately 69 weeks or 483 Jewish years later.
This doesn't add up in our solar years today, but according to the Jewish calendar, there are 360 days in a year. That means 483 Jewish years = 476 solar years plus 27 days. It brings us up to the very year of the crucifixion.)
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
(The people of "the prince that shall come" shall destroy the city and the sanctuary... is referring to the Roman Empire that destroyed the temple after Christ's resurrection. But, as we see from the two dreams about the world kingdoms, Rome is a prototype of the final ruling kingdom.)
27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
(Who is this guy who will confirm the "covenant" with "many" for one week?
If we look at world history the way it was depicted in the dreams of Daniel chapters 2 and 7, there are only going to be 5 world powers: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and the final world government ruled by who we refer to as "The Antichrist" because he will be against Christ.
This future world leader will start off his rule with a seven-year covenant or peace treaty or agreement with many. And in the midst of the "week" or seven years, he will break the covenant.
In Matthew 24:15 & 16, Jesus warns us,
"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains..."
Q: How will we know when that last week has begun?
A: We will know when the covenant has been signed. (Stay close to the Lord and be on the alert. There is a lot of talk these days about a peace agreement being drawn up for Israel. Another thing to keep our eyes on is the unifying of all the religions. This in itself is an abomination to God.)
Q: How do we know that there will be exactly seven years left?
A: Coincidentally, the world dictator or the "beast" of Revelation draws up a seven-year agreement, but the Bible also predicts that his end will come at the end of that seven-year contract! It also tells us that the "Tribulation" will continue for exactly 3 1/2 years, stated in weeks and in days just to make it clear.
Q: Where are we now in Bible prophecy?
A: I don't believe the last seven years have begun yet. Ten nations will join together with the rising world dictator and we are just beginning to see which nations they are.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Daniel 8
Now we're getting into the real "meat" of the Word. Meat is really not supposed to be for babes who are "cutting their teeth" on the New Testament. But, time is short. If you have recently come to the Lord or been "born again" in the Spirit of God, you have come to the kingdom at a very intense time in world history.
Look around. A flood of lies has come on the world. The sea and waves are roaring.
What does it mean to say that "time is short"? How short?
What if you knew that there were only seven years left on this earth? What if God had told us the specific signs to look for that would indicate the start of those last seven years?
I'm not saying that there are only seven years left, but what I am saying is that we should keep our eyes peeled for the signs. One of the main signs to look out for is the rise of a "king of fierce countenance" who will take over the world, or try to take over the world.
Daniel 8
1 In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.
2 And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.
3 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.
(This is the Medo-Persian empire that will conquer Babylon.)
4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.
5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.
(This is the Grecian empire and the notable horn is Alexander the Great, Greece's mighty conqueror who "touched not the ground" because he was just conquering so fast.)
6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.
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.
8 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.
(This is talking about Rome. Just as in the previous vision: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome were the major world powers that sequentially ruled the "known world". Since Rome, there has never been a one-world government/kingdom.)
9 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.
(This, the fourth "world kingdom", is yet to come! In some sense, he comes forth from one of the four horns or rulers of the Roman Empire. We're not talking about modern day Rome here because the Roman Empire covered a lot of territory in its hay day.
He waxes great (has a powerful reputation, strong influence or threat) toward the south, toward the east and toward the pleasant land. The pleasant land has usually been known as Palestine. When this world leader rises, he will head south, east and toward Israel or Palestine.)
10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.
(He will persecute God's people.)
11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
(At this time, apparently there will be a "daily sacrifice". The Jews are now planning to build their temple on the temple mount in Jerusalem and if/when they do, they also plan to begin sacrificing. Of course, in order for all of this to happen, there would have to be some sort of agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, the Jews and the Muslims. This is something to keep your eye on!
Have the Jews started to build their temple yet? I think it won't be long!)
12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.
13 The I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?
14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
15 And it came to pass when I, even I Daniel, had seen thhe vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.
16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.
17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.
18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.
19 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.
20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.
21 The rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.
22 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.
(Rome.)
23 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.
("In the latter time" refers to the end time or, the last seven years. Have the transgressors come to the full? Recently I heard that Obama referred to ISIS (IS or ISIL) as being "evil". I'd say they are a good example of transgressors coming to the full. Can it get any worse?
Sorry to say, "Yes.")
24 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.
(This world dictator will destroy God's people and prosper. It will get worse. Like a woman in child-birth labour, the pains have to increase before the glorious birth of her child. Well, we are about to enter the birthing pangs! I guess we need to learn how to breathe.)
25 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.
(It looks like this guy will be like a magician. He will destroy many by "peace". Watch out for "peace talks" and "peace agreements" and "world peace". Peace is a buzz word for us to be warned by!)
26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.
27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.
(None understood it. But, we can understand it today because these empires have risen and fallen. Most of this prophecy has already been fulfilled exactly to the detail of God's prophecy!)
Look around. A flood of lies has come on the world. The sea and waves are roaring.
What does it mean to say that "time is short"? How short?
What if you knew that there were only seven years left on this earth? What if God had told us the specific signs to look for that would indicate the start of those last seven years?
I'm not saying that there are only seven years left, but what I am saying is that we should keep our eyes peeled for the signs. One of the main signs to look out for is the rise of a "king of fierce countenance" who will take over the world, or try to take over the world.
Daniel 8
1 In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.
2 And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.
3 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.
(This is the Medo-Persian empire that will conquer Babylon.)
4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.
5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.
(This is the Grecian empire and the notable horn is Alexander the Great, Greece's mighty conqueror who "touched not the ground" because he was just conquering so fast.)
6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.
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.
8 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.
(This is talking about Rome. Just as in the previous vision: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome were the major world powers that sequentially ruled the "known world". Since Rome, there has never been a one-world government/kingdom.)
9 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.
(This, the fourth "world kingdom", is yet to come! In some sense, he comes forth from one of the four horns or rulers of the Roman Empire. We're not talking about modern day Rome here because the Roman Empire covered a lot of territory in its hay day.
He waxes great (has a powerful reputation, strong influence or threat) toward the south, toward the east and toward the pleasant land. The pleasant land has usually been known as Palestine. When this world leader rises, he will head south, east and toward Israel or Palestine.)
10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.
(He will persecute God's people.)
11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
(At this time, apparently there will be a "daily sacrifice". The Jews are now planning to build their temple on the temple mount in Jerusalem and if/when they do, they also plan to begin sacrificing. Of course, in order for all of this to happen, there would have to be some sort of agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, the Jews and the Muslims. This is something to keep your eye on!
Have the Jews started to build their temple yet? I think it won't be long!)
12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.
13 The I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?
14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
15 And it came to pass when I, even I Daniel, had seen thhe vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.
16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.
17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.
18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.
19 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.
20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.
21 The rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.
22 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.
(Rome.)
23 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.
("In the latter time" refers to the end time or, the last seven years. Have the transgressors come to the full? Recently I heard that Obama referred to ISIS (IS or ISIL) as being "evil". I'd say they are a good example of transgressors coming to the full. Can it get any worse?
Sorry to say, "Yes.")
24 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.
(This world dictator will destroy God's people and prosper. It will get worse. Like a woman in child-birth labour, the pains have to increase before the glorious birth of her child. Well, we are about to enter the birthing pangs! I guess we need to learn how to breathe.)
25 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.
(It looks like this guy will be like a magician. He will destroy many by "peace". Watch out for "peace talks" and "peace agreements" and "world peace". Peace is a buzz word for us to be warned by!)
26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.
27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.
(None understood it. But, we can understand it today because these empires have risen and fallen. Most of this prophecy has already been fulfilled exactly to the detail of God's prophecy!)
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Prophecies of the End!
In the 7th chapter of Daniel, Daniel has a dream that depicts the entire history of the world from ancient Babylon right up until the return of Christ and the setting up of His kingdom.
(Daniel 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.)
By the time Jesus returns, there will be no question left in our minds as to whether He is the rightful King Whom we will welcome with open arms, having learned from experience just how unfair and unmerciful all our other earthly leaders were.
In the following remaining chapters of the book of Daniel, we are given prophecies about our future that will reiterate and fill in with more detail the exact events of the end of world history and life on this planet as we know it. The "Beast" that will rise up out of the "waters" (peoples and nations) is described more colourfully and his exact movements are prophesied.
Are you prepared?
The most important preparation we can make is to know our God (by reading the Bible). Anyone who is able to read this is able to read the Holy Bible. (I'm using the King James Version because I personally believe it is the most accurate, most poetic, most anointed version of the Bible, but there are other versions that are quite accurate and may be easier to read. The King James Version uses words from old English but it's quite easy to see that these words are the same as modern words with one or two letters changed or added.
For example: hath = has; shew = show; canst = can; astonied = astonished; spake = spoke
You really don't need to be a linguist to figure out what a particular word means when reading it in context. And, if a word slows me down, I usually take it as an opportunity to stop and think about what I have just read.)
The Bible is no ordinary book. It's a life-changing, empowering, enlightening, life-giving and godly book full of eternal truths!
The Bible says that the whole duty of man (and woman) is to know God. What a statement! If you were wondering,
"What am I here for?" or "Why am I alive?" or "What is my duty and calling in this life?', that's your answer! Right there! Our whole duty is to know God.
(Daniel 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.)
By the time Jesus returns, there will be no question left in our minds as to whether He is the rightful King Whom we will welcome with open arms, having learned from experience just how unfair and unmerciful all our other earthly leaders were.
In the following remaining chapters of the book of Daniel, we are given prophecies about our future that will reiterate and fill in with more detail the exact events of the end of world history and life on this planet as we know it. The "Beast" that will rise up out of the "waters" (peoples and nations) is described more colourfully and his exact movements are prophesied.
Are you prepared?
The most important preparation we can make is to know our God (by reading the Bible). Anyone who is able to read this is able to read the Holy Bible. (I'm using the King James Version because I personally believe it is the most accurate, most poetic, most anointed version of the Bible, but there are other versions that are quite accurate and may be easier to read. The King James Version uses words from old English but it's quite easy to see that these words are the same as modern words with one or two letters changed or added.
For example: hath = has; shew = show; canst = can; astonied = astonished; spake = spoke
You really don't need to be a linguist to figure out what a particular word means when reading it in context. And, if a word slows me down, I usually take it as an opportunity to stop and think about what I have just read.)
The Bible is no ordinary book. It's a life-changing, empowering, enlightening, life-giving and godly book full of eternal truths!
The Bible says that the whole duty of man (and woman) is to know God. What a statement! If you were wondering,
"What am I here for?" or "Why am I alive?" or "What is my duty and calling in this life?', that's your answer! Right there! Our whole duty is to know God.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Daniel 7
1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.
(So, Daniel had this dream while Belshazzar was still the king.)
2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
(The four winds striving or causing turbulence could represent war and often "sea" or "waters" represents people.)
3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
(It seems that from God's perspective, there will have only been four major world powers throughout history before Christ returns to set up His Kingdom.)
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.
(Babylon was referred to as a lion by Old Testament prophets. A lion with eagle’s wings was a prominent symbol on Babylonian coins and on Babylon’s walls. Babylon ruled the known world from 605 to 539 BC.)
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 [higher on one side could mean stronger on the Medo side] is Medo-Persia and the three ribs represent Babylon, Lydia and Egypt, the countries overthrown by the Medo-Persian empire that ruled the known world from 539 to 331 B.C.)
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 is Greece. Alexander the Great conquered with the swiftness of a leopard flying with eagle’s wings. The reason there are four heads is because when Alexander died in a drunken stupor at age thirty-three, his four generals—Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy—divided up the empire. The Greeks ruled from 331 to 168 B.C.)
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.
(The Roman empire conquered the world in 168 B.C. by defeating the Greeks at the Battle of Pynda. Under the Caesars, the mighty Roman Empire ruled from 168 B.C. to 351 A.D.
The coming "New World Order" or the reign of the "Antichrist" or "Beast" of Revelation will be an iron-clad reign comparable to the iron-toothed Roman Empire.)
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.
(One of the main attributes of the world leader that is yet to rise is his mouth. He speaks great things and blasphemes the God of Heaven! [Revelation 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.]
In fact, Revelation 13 goes on to describe the "Beast" as a leopard in verse 3:
And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.)
9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire.
10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him.
14 And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.
28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
(So, Daniel had this dream while Belshazzar was still the king.)
2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
(The four winds striving or causing turbulence could represent war and often "sea" or "waters" represents people.)
3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
(It seems that from God's perspective, there will have only been four major world powers throughout history before Christ returns to set up His Kingdom.)
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.
(Babylon was referred to as a lion by Old Testament prophets. A lion with eagle’s wings was a prominent symbol on Babylonian coins and on Babylon’s walls. Babylon ruled the known world from 605 to 539 BC.)
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 [higher on one side could mean stronger on the Medo side] is Medo-Persia and the three ribs represent Babylon, Lydia and Egypt, the countries overthrown by the Medo-Persian empire that ruled the known world from 539 to 331 B.C.)
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 is Greece. Alexander the Great conquered with the swiftness of a leopard flying with eagle’s wings. The reason there are four heads is because when Alexander died in a drunken stupor at age thirty-three, his four generals—Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy—divided up the empire. The Greeks ruled from 331 to 168 B.C.)
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.
(The Roman empire conquered the world in 168 B.C. by defeating the Greeks at the Battle of Pynda. Under the Caesars, the mighty Roman Empire ruled from 168 B.C. to 351 A.D.
The coming "New World Order" or the reign of the "Antichrist" or "Beast" of Revelation will be an iron-clad reign comparable to the iron-toothed Roman Empire.)
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.
(One of the main attributes of the world leader that is yet to rise is his mouth. He speaks great things and blasphemes the God of Heaven! [Revelation 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.]
In fact, Revelation 13 goes on to describe the "Beast" as a leopard in verse 3:
And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.)
9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire.
10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him.
14 And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.
28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Daniel 6
(The Medes and Persians have taken over Babylon. And Daniel is still living and prospering.
We'll be halfway through the book of Daniel already at the end of this chapter. It's a power-packed little book full of all kinds of miracles and prophecies --- some of which are yet to be fulfilled.)
1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;
2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.
3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.
6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.
7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.
14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.
16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee.
17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.
18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.
19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.
20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
22 My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.
(Some people call it "Karma". This is a lesson on being careful about pointing the finger at God's servant. It's a dangerous thing to do and could adversely affect your whole family!)
25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
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 stedfast for ever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even unto the end.
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.
28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
We'll be halfway through the book of Daniel already at the end of this chapter. It's a power-packed little book full of all kinds of miracles and prophecies --- some of which are yet to be fulfilled.)
1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;
2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.
3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.
6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.
7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.
14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.
16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee.
17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.
18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.
19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.
20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
22 My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.
(Some people call it "Karma". This is a lesson on being careful about pointing the finger at God's servant. It's a dangerous thing to do and could adversely affect your whole family!)
25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
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 stedfast for ever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even unto the end.
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.
28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Daniel Chapter 5
Daniel 5
1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
(It appears that King Nebuchadnezzar has passed away.)
2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.
(Now, these vessels from the temple in Jerusalem are no ordinary vessels, but were ordained of God and God gave the instructions on how they were made. These are holy vessels that should only be used according to God's instructions.)
3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
(Yike! How many false gods do these guys have?)
5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister (plaster) of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
(This is a spooky ghost story! A hand comes out of nowhere?)
6 Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
8 Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.
9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.
10 Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:
11 There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers:
12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.
(It makes me wonder how out of touch King Belshazzar was that he didn't know of Daniel. Didn't Nebuchadnezzar mention Daniel's name to his son? After all that Nebuchadnezzar went through, you'd think he would have warned his son, the successor to the throne that he should worship the most high God.)
13 Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?
14 I have heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.
15 And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:
16 And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst (can, not can't) read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation therof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.
17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
(That must have been surprising to the king, to find a man who didn't care for material rewards or power! What was going on with this guy? Here the king was offering gold and scarlet. And a powerful position in the kingdom. And Daniel's not interested?)
18 O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:
19 And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.
20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
21 And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that He appointeth over it whomsoever He will.
22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thin heart, though thou knewest all this;
23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou has praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
24 Then was the part of the hand sent from Him; and this writing was written.
25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
(The writing on the wall was just four words.)
26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
(This is the fulfilment of the prophecy in Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the golden image. The breast and arms were of silver. [Daniel 2:32] The two arms represent the division of the kingdom into two parts. One part is ruled by the Medes and the other by the Persians.)
29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, (like it or not!) and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
(Who knew better than Daniel that his position in the kingdom would be momentary? In fact, it lasted for less than one day!)
30 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. (Bye, bye, kingdom!)
31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.
(One score is 20. So, Darius was 62.)
1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
(It appears that King Nebuchadnezzar has passed away.)
2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.
(Now, these vessels from the temple in Jerusalem are no ordinary vessels, but were ordained of God and God gave the instructions on how they were made. These are holy vessels that should only be used according to God's instructions.)
3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
(Yike! How many false gods do these guys have?)
5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister (plaster) of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
(This is a spooky ghost story! A hand comes out of nowhere?)
6 Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
8 Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.
9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.
10 Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:
11 There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers:
12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.
(It makes me wonder how out of touch King Belshazzar was that he didn't know of Daniel. Didn't Nebuchadnezzar mention Daniel's name to his son? After all that Nebuchadnezzar went through, you'd think he would have warned his son, the successor to the throne that he should worship the most high God.)
13 Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?
14 I have heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.
15 And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:
16 And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst (can, not can't) read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation therof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.
17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
(That must have been surprising to the king, to find a man who didn't care for material rewards or power! What was going on with this guy? Here the king was offering gold and scarlet. And a powerful position in the kingdom. And Daniel's not interested?)
18 O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:
19 And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.
20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
21 And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that He appointeth over it whomsoever He will.
22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thin heart, though thou knewest all this;
23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou has praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
24 Then was the part of the hand sent from Him; and this writing was written.
25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
(The writing on the wall was just four words.)
26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
(This is the fulfilment of the prophecy in Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the golden image. The breast and arms were of silver. [Daniel 2:32] The two arms represent the division of the kingdom into two parts. One part is ruled by the Medes and the other by the Persians.)
29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, (like it or not!) and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
(Who knew better than Daniel that his position in the kingdom would be momentary? In fact, it lasted for less than one day!)
30 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. (Bye, bye, kingdom!)
31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.
(One score is 20. So, Darius was 62.)
Interpretation of the King's Dream
Daniel 4
20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;
21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:
22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
(Daniel seems to be being very tactful and even flattering the king, but Daniel also knew that God had a different view of Babylon. In fact, we will see later in the book of Daniel that God intends to punish and destroy the future Babylon, part of which is happening today. ISIS [IS or ISIL] is helping to fulfil prophecy there now.)
23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;
24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
(God hates pride. I think most of us don't fully realise how terrible pride is and how much we need to resist and denounce our pride and vanity, glorying in ourselves as though we made ourselves or as though we have power over our own lives. God hates it because pride is deceptive and it separates us from Him. When we pat ourselves on the back for our accomplishments, we lose the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Giving God all the glory all the time for anything good about us shows God that we are admitting we can do nothing without Him. We can't. And THAT is the TRUTH. God help us not to be deceived by pride.)
26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
(Daniel is politely telling the king that he needs to learn Who is Boss!)
27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
(Humble yourself, Neb and get down on the level of the poor because you are really no better than them.)
28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
(You may be the gold head of the image, but your feet are made of clay.)
29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
(Woops! There he goes, patting himself on the back again! Pride comes before what? Look out!)
31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
(Who is in control?)
32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
(Nebuchadnezzar is going on a high fibre diet! For seven years!)
33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.
(This has got to be something out of a horror movie! He is living like an animal and starting to look like an eagle.)
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured Him that liveth for ever, Whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation:
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?
(God welcomes questions. But, we don't have the right to question Him in a doubtful way. God is God. We are the clay and He is the Potter.)
36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
(He's gotten the point that his majesty is given to him from above.)
37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase.
20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;
21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:
22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
(Daniel seems to be being very tactful and even flattering the king, but Daniel also knew that God had a different view of Babylon. In fact, we will see later in the book of Daniel that God intends to punish and destroy the future Babylon, part of which is happening today. ISIS [IS or ISIL] is helping to fulfil prophecy there now.)
23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;
24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
(God hates pride. I think most of us don't fully realise how terrible pride is and how much we need to resist and denounce our pride and vanity, glorying in ourselves as though we made ourselves or as though we have power over our own lives. God hates it because pride is deceptive and it separates us from Him. When we pat ourselves on the back for our accomplishments, we lose the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Giving God all the glory all the time for anything good about us shows God that we are admitting we can do nothing without Him. We can't. And THAT is the TRUTH. God help us not to be deceived by pride.)
26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
(Daniel is politely telling the king that he needs to learn Who is Boss!)
27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
(Humble yourself, Neb and get down on the level of the poor because you are really no better than them.)
28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
(You may be the gold head of the image, but your feet are made of clay.)
29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
(Woops! There he goes, patting himself on the back again! Pride comes before what? Look out!)
31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
(Who is in control?)
32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
(Nebuchadnezzar is going on a high fibre diet! For seven years!)
33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.
(This has got to be something out of a horror movie! He is living like an animal and starting to look like an eagle.)
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured Him that liveth for ever, Whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation:
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?
(God welcomes questions. But, we don't have the right to question Him in a doubtful way. God is God. We are the clay and He is the Potter.)
36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
(He's gotten the point that his majesty is given to him from above.)
37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Daniel 4
I personally really love dreams, remembering my dreams, trying to figure out if there's any meaning in them and even writing them in a dream diary. I have gone over dreams I've had in the past that hold a significant meaning in the present! It really encourages me to keep track of my dreamscape and spend a little time putting together details that come up in dreams. Of course, not every dream is prophetic or of huge significance, just like not every thought that passes through our heads is stellar.
But, Nebuchadnezzar had stellar dreams. And there was only one person who could decipher them for him: God's man, Daniel. So, here's chapter 4.
1 Nebuchadnezzar the king unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.
4 I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:
5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.
7 Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.
8 But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,
9 O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.
10 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.
11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;
14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:
15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:
16 Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirt of the holy gods is in thee.
19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
(It seems Daniel is afraid to make known to the king what the meaning of his dream is because it's really, really bad news and, from Daniel's experience, this king is quite emotional, dogmatic and impulsive. After all, Daniel's three companions were thrown into the fiery furnace for upsetting this guy. So, now poor Daniel has to find a way to soften the blow to this powerful royal.)
But, Nebuchadnezzar had stellar dreams. And there was only one person who could decipher them for him: God's man, Daniel. So, here's chapter 4.
1 Nebuchadnezzar the king unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.
4 I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:
5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.
7 Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.
8 But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,
9 O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.
10 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.
11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;
14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:
15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:
16 Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirt of the holy gods is in thee.
19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
(It seems Daniel is afraid to make known to the king what the meaning of his dream is because it's really, really bad news and, from Daniel's experience, this king is quite emotional, dogmatic and impulsive. After all, Daniel's three companions were thrown into the fiery furnace for upsetting this guy. So, now poor Daniel has to find a way to soften the blow to this powerful royal.)
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Daniel 3 continued...
(Our three Jewish men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego have refused to obey the order of the king. They will not bow down to his golden idol.)
19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
(Neb is furious! Some people can't handle the truth.)
20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
(Imagine that! The fire was so hot that just getting near the door killed the king's men.)
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied (astonished), and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
(It seems that whenever Jesus shows up, people automatically know who He is! I bet He was dancing around in the furnace with those guys! What a laugh!)
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake and said, Shadrach Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.
(They were probably having such a good time that they were in no hurry to come out. Man, what an experience!)
27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
(They chose to obey God rather than man, even the most powerful king on earth at the time. And, they came out without even the smell of smoke on them!)
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
(We serve the same God today. This is a mighty testimony to the power of our God to save and deliver us from our enemies through the coming Tribulation and right up until the return of our King!)
29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
(Neb is furious! Some people can't handle the truth.)
20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
(Imagine that! The fire was so hot that just getting near the door killed the king's men.)
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied (astonished), and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
(It seems that whenever Jesus shows up, people automatically know who He is! I bet He was dancing around in the furnace with those guys! What a laugh!)
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake and said, Shadrach Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.
(They were probably having such a good time that they were in no hurry to come out. Man, what an experience!)
27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
(They chose to obey God rather than man, even the most powerful king on earth at the time. And, they came out without even the smell of smoke on them!)
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
(We serve the same God today. This is a mighty testimony to the power of our God to save and deliver us from our enemies through the coming Tribulation and right up until the return of our King!)
29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Daniel 3
Moving along, I'm continuing in the book of Daniel.
1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
(Ironically, the "Beast" or "Antichrist" will also have an image set up in his honour.)
3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
4 Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:
6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
(Same deal as with the coming world leader. "Worship me or die", basically.)
7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.
10 The, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
(Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were obviously more afraid of disobeying God than of disobeying the king's command. They knew that their God was more powerful than any golden idol and that He was able to deliver them even out of the flames. Yet, they also knew that if God didn't deliver them alive, they still would not bow down to the idol.)
1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
(Ironically, the "Beast" or "Antichrist" will also have an image set up in his honour.)
3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
4 Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:
6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
(Same deal as with the coming world leader. "Worship me or die", basically.)
7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.
10 The, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
(Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were obviously more afraid of disobeying God than of disobeying the king's command. They knew that their God was more powerful than any golden idol and that He was able to deliver them even out of the flames. Yet, they also knew that if God didn't deliver them alive, they still would not bow down to the idol.)
Thursday, November 6, 2014
The Ten Toes
Daniel 2 verse 42 talks about the ten toes which represent the final kingdoms that rule the earth.
"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."
We know that these toes are the final kingdoms of earth because there is no other body part left on the image. All of world history is encapsulated in this one image, beginning with the head of gold (Babylon) and ending in the feet (representing a mix of democracy and dictatorship that rules the world today).
So, in essence, this is another sign to look for that will signal the last seven years. When we see ten kingdoms rise to support a one-world government, we will be "in the toes". Right now, we are still in the feet.
Revelation 13:1
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his head the name of blasphemy.
(That's how God sees our worldly governments. They are beasts called "Blasphemy".
Blasphemy is the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for deities, to religious or holy persons or things, or toward something considered sacred or inviolable.)
Revelation 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
(Most probably, the bear is Medo-Persia. The lion is Babylon. The dragon? The devil?)
3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
(This might be something significant that happens. One of the heads of the beast has its deadly wound healed.)
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
(So, there's this one major character who people are compelled to worship. But there's also another beast, possibly the false prophet...)
11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Ok, so the question to ponder is: "What are the ten kingdoms?"
"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."
We know that these toes are the final kingdoms of earth because there is no other body part left on the image. All of world history is encapsulated in this one image, beginning with the head of gold (Babylon) and ending in the feet (representing a mix of democracy and dictatorship that rules the world today).
So, in essence, this is another sign to look for that will signal the last seven years. When we see ten kingdoms rise to support a one-world government, we will be "in the toes". Right now, we are still in the feet.
Revelation 13:1
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his head the name of blasphemy.
(That's how God sees our worldly governments. They are beasts called "Blasphemy".
Blasphemy is the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for deities, to religious or holy persons or things, or toward something considered sacred or inviolable.)
Revelation 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
(Most probably, the bear is Medo-Persia. The lion is Babylon. The dragon? The devil?)
3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
(This might be something significant that happens. One of the heads of the beast has its deadly wound healed.)
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
(So, there's this one major character who people are compelled to worship. But there's also another beast, possibly the false prophet...)
11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Ok, so the question to ponder is: "What are the ten kingdoms?"
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