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.)
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
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?"
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Daniel 2
1 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.
(That means, he woke up.)
2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerersm and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.
3 And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.
4 Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell they servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.
5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.
(Pretty tough conditions. They had to remember the king's dream for him!)
6 But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.
7 They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.
8 The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.
9 But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.
10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.
11 And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.
12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
13 And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.
14 Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon.
15 He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.
16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.
(That was a pretty big responsibility and a big step of faith on Daniel's part. He needed to sleep on it.)
17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.
24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him: Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.
25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.
26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?
27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;
(DRUM ROLL, please!)
28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightiest know the thoughts of thy heart.
31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.
32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
(The head is Babylon. The breast and arms are Medo-Persia. The belly and thighs are Greece. This was fulfilled throughout history.)
33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
(The legs are Rome. Since the fall of Rome, no one government has ruled the world. We are now in the feet of the image. The world is ruled by a mix of democracy (clay) and dictatorships (iron). And, soon to come are the ten toes, meaning that the world will be ruled by ten kingdoms. These kingdoms will emerge along with the rise of the one-world dictator known as the Antichrist.)
34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
(God's kingdom will be that great mountain that fills the entire earth.)
36 This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.
37 Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.
40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potter's clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
42 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.
43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
46 The the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.
47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.
48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.
49 Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.
(That means, he woke up.)
2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerersm and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.
3 And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.
4 Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell they servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.
5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.
(Pretty tough conditions. They had to remember the king's dream for him!)
6 But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.
7 They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.
8 The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.
9 But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.
10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.
11 And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.
12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
13 And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.
14 Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon.
15 He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.
16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.
(That was a pretty big responsibility and a big step of faith on Daniel's part. He needed to sleep on it.)
17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.
24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him: Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.
25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.
26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?
27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;
(DRUM ROLL, please!)
28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightiest know the thoughts of thy heart.
31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.
32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
(The head is Babylon. The breast and arms are Medo-Persia. The belly and thighs are Greece. This was fulfilled throughout history.)
33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
(The legs are Rome. Since the fall of Rome, no one government has ruled the world. We are now in the feet of the image. The world is ruled by a mix of democracy (clay) and dictatorships (iron). And, soon to come are the ten toes, meaning that the world will be ruled by ten kingdoms. These kingdoms will emerge along with the rise of the one-world dictator known as the Antichrist.)
34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
(God's kingdom will be that great mountain that fills the entire earth.)
36 This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.
37 Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.
40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potter's clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
42 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.
43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
46 The the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.
47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.
48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.
49 Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.
What do Daniel's Prophecies Mean Today?
In order to get a better understanding of Bible prophecy and how it applies to us today, I'd like to go through the book of Daniel, starting at the beginning. It's a fascinating book full of cryptic prophecies and astounding miracles.
Daniel Chapter One
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
This was naughty of Nebuchadnezzar! He was poking his finger in "God's Eye", the Jews. And, God is not going to take that lying down. (Babylon is said to be located in Iraq. The ancient city of Babylon was located 100 km south of Baghdad. Here's an interesting link:
http://www.thepropheticyears.com/reasons/babylon.htm
In Jeremiah, there is a special prophecy for Babylon in chapter 50:21 - 46
Jeremiah says, "...no man will abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein."
Well, with the invasion of ISIS or IS or ISL, we are seeing now the destruction of Iraq. Is this the beginning of the end? Thanks to satellite communication, verse 46 is now possible. It says,
"At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations."
We are seeing the destruction of Babylon graphically on Youtube and hearing the cry.)
2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. (small 'g')
That was another big mistake. Nebuchadnezzar was "mad upon his idols" as says Jeremiah and he made a huge mistake in taking God's stuff and giving it to his false gods!
3. And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
(It was the job of the prince of the eunuchs to "fatten up" the Jewish boys and have them looking healthy and in top condition to bring before the king. So, he felt that he was providing the best food money could buy. He was worried that by eating cheap pulse (probably beans and legumes) that the boys would become weak and unhealthy.)
11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah Mishael, and Azariah,
12 Prove they servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
(Melzar agreed to the experiment.)
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of King Cyrus.
Daniel Chapter One
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
This was naughty of Nebuchadnezzar! He was poking his finger in "God's Eye", the Jews. And, God is not going to take that lying down. (Babylon is said to be located in Iraq. The ancient city of Babylon was located 100 km south of Baghdad. Here's an interesting link:
http://www.thepropheticyears.com/reasons/babylon.htm
In Jeremiah, there is a special prophecy for Babylon in chapter 50:21 - 46
Jeremiah says, "...no man will abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein."
Well, with the invasion of ISIS or IS or ISL, we are seeing now the destruction of Iraq. Is this the beginning of the end? Thanks to satellite communication, verse 46 is now possible. It says,
"At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations."
We are seeing the destruction of Babylon graphically on Youtube and hearing the cry.)
2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. (small 'g')
That was another big mistake. Nebuchadnezzar was "mad upon his idols" as says Jeremiah and he made a huge mistake in taking God's stuff and giving it to his false gods!
3. And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
(It was the job of the prince of the eunuchs to "fatten up" the Jewish boys and have them looking healthy and in top condition to bring before the king. So, he felt that he was providing the best food money could buy. He was worried that by eating cheap pulse (probably beans and legumes) that the boys would become weak and unhealthy.)
11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah Mishael, and Azariah,
12 Prove they servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
(Melzar agreed to the experiment.)
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of King Cyrus.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Are We in the Last Seven Years?
According to Bible scripture, we are given many clues and signs to indicate the time of Jesus's return. Most importantly, we are given indications as to when the "last seven years" of world history will begin.
Why is this so important?
It's important because, halfway into the last seven years, the Great Tribulation will begin. I believe God wants to warn us, as He always has throughout history. And if He wants to warn us, maybe it's because He wants us to be prepared.
How can one prepare for the Great Tribulation?
We can prepare mentally, spiritually, emotionally and even physically. To be prepared spiritually is the major emphasis, because if we can learn how to trust God now for our lives, it will be a "knee-jerk reaction" when the poop hits the fan. If we can learn how to hear from God now, it will come automatically when we're in a life-or-death situation. If we have a loving relationship with God now, we will be more apt to believe He loves us even when the going gets tough.
And, He does love us. More than we know! Which is why He is warning us and wants us to prepare for the worst persecution this world has ever known.
Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no nor ever shall be.
Did Jesus say this to scare everyone to death so that they would run and hide? Are we supposed to react like Henny Penny and run around screaming,
"The sky is falling! The sky is falling! We're all gonna DIE!"?
It seems to me that in America these days, the media and the government are more afraid of panic than of Ebola or ISIS (IS or ISIL). Who knows if they have their priorities straight? Can panic really be that terrible? More terrible than a terrorist attack?
So, we believers are not meant to panic. We are meant to be pillars of strength and faith in times of trouble!
I can think of no better way to build up our spiritual faith and strength than to READ THE WORD. So, what does the Word tell us about the Great Tribulation? And, have the last seven years already begun? --- My answer to that is,
"No, I don't believe so."
A few things are supposed to happen first. Mainly, as I have mentioned previously, the confirming of the covenant. (We assume that the covenant is going to be signed. But, it is confirmed somehow.)
Daniel 9:27 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.
Ok, I know this sounds really bad. And it is. But, you must remember that the very worst stuff is going to happen to the unbelievers and those who worship the "Beast". In fact, Revelation tells us that some of the believers will be safe and provided for for the entire Great Tribulation period! Good news, right?
Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
That's 1260 days. That translates to about 3.46 years, which may mean that she goes into the wilderness before the Great Tribulation even starts. Wow. God is good.
Another verse in the same chapter says: "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent."
To me, that means that some of the believers will be protected in the wilderness and some of the believers will be out on the front lines, preaching the Gospel to the very end and even giving their lives as martyrs. (We've already seen many Christians beheaded by ISIS for their faith! Praise God! This is just the beginning, folks! I get the feeling we ain't seen nothin' yet!)
Revelation 12:17 says "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
Ok, so what if you are one of those on the front lines? How do you overcome the devil?
Here's your answer, right out of Revelation 12:11!
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."
Never underestimate the power of the Blood of the Lamb. Never underestimate the power of the Name of Jesus! And never underestimate the power of your personal testimony!
When we are out there, sharing our personal testimony about how we came to the Lord and how Jesus brought us to eternal salvation, the miracle-working power of the Holy Spirit falls heavily on us. That is the message Jesus wants to get out to the lost! So, He's going to anoint us with power and protection to be able to live long enough to get out the message. Am I right?
If you're serving God, getting out the message, God is going to see to it that you are provided for and protected right up until the end, or right up until your end. And if or when it's your turn to go, it will be a sweet release!
"Earth recedes! Heaven opens!"
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (I Corinthians 15:55)
Why is this so important?
It's important because, halfway into the last seven years, the Great Tribulation will begin. I believe God wants to warn us, as He always has throughout history. And if He wants to warn us, maybe it's because He wants us to be prepared.
How can one prepare for the Great Tribulation?
We can prepare mentally, spiritually, emotionally and even physically. To be prepared spiritually is the major emphasis, because if we can learn how to trust God now for our lives, it will be a "knee-jerk reaction" when the poop hits the fan. If we can learn how to hear from God now, it will come automatically when we're in a life-or-death situation. If we have a loving relationship with God now, we will be more apt to believe He loves us even when the going gets tough.
And, He does love us. More than we know! Which is why He is warning us and wants us to prepare for the worst persecution this world has ever known.
Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no nor ever shall be.
Did Jesus say this to scare everyone to death so that they would run and hide? Are we supposed to react like Henny Penny and run around screaming,
"The sky is falling! The sky is falling! We're all gonna DIE!"?
It seems to me that in America these days, the media and the government are more afraid of panic than of Ebola or ISIS (IS or ISIL). Who knows if they have their priorities straight? Can panic really be that terrible? More terrible than a terrorist attack?
So, we believers are not meant to panic. We are meant to be pillars of strength and faith in times of trouble!
I can think of no better way to build up our spiritual faith and strength than to READ THE WORD. So, what does the Word tell us about the Great Tribulation? And, have the last seven years already begun? --- My answer to that is,
"No, I don't believe so."
A few things are supposed to happen first. Mainly, as I have mentioned previously, the confirming of the covenant. (We assume that the covenant is going to be signed. But, it is confirmed somehow.)
Daniel 9:27 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.
Ok, I know this sounds really bad. And it is. But, you must remember that the very worst stuff is going to happen to the unbelievers and those who worship the "Beast". In fact, Revelation tells us that some of the believers will be safe and provided for for the entire Great Tribulation period! Good news, right?
Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
That's 1260 days. That translates to about 3.46 years, which may mean that she goes into the wilderness before the Great Tribulation even starts. Wow. God is good.
Another verse in the same chapter says: "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent."
To me, that means that some of the believers will be protected in the wilderness and some of the believers will be out on the front lines, preaching the Gospel to the very end and even giving their lives as martyrs. (We've already seen many Christians beheaded by ISIS for their faith! Praise God! This is just the beginning, folks! I get the feeling we ain't seen nothin' yet!)
Revelation 12:17 says "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
Ok, so what if you are one of those on the front lines? How do you overcome the devil?
Here's your answer, right out of Revelation 12:11!
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."
Never underestimate the power of the Blood of the Lamb. Never underestimate the power of the Name of Jesus! And never underestimate the power of your personal testimony!
When we are out there, sharing our personal testimony about how we came to the Lord and how Jesus brought us to eternal salvation, the miracle-working power of the Holy Spirit falls heavily on us. That is the message Jesus wants to get out to the lost! So, He's going to anoint us with power and protection to be able to live long enough to get out the message. Am I right?
If you're serving God, getting out the message, God is going to see to it that you are provided for and protected right up until the end, or right up until your end. And if or when it's your turn to go, it will be a sweet release!
"Earth recedes! Heaven opens!"
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (I Corinthians 15:55)
Saturday, October 25, 2014
How Will We Know When We're in the Last Three and a Half Years?
If you have read my previous post entitled, "How Will We Know When We're in the Last Seven Years?", you will know that I pointed out the "signing of the covenant" as one of the signs that begins the last seven years of life "as we know it" on this planet.
I singled that out so that it would be clear, emphatic and easy to remember.
But, what about the beginning of the last three and a half years? How will we know for sure when that has begun?
It was Jesus Himself Who warned us about the "Great Tribulation" in Matthew, chapter 24. We know from other verses in the Bible that the "Great Tribulation" lasts for three and a half years. Revelation chapter 13 describes the world dictator or "Antichrist" and the time period that he will be given to continue.
Revelation 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
If you divide 42 by 12 (12 months in a year), you come up with 3.5 years. That's not a coincidence. That's God reinforcing His word by using months as well as years. He also tells us the time period in days.
Daniel 12:11 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. (3.54 years)
During this time of tribulation, the woman (or believers) flees into the wilderness.
Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
(One score is 20 years. So, that adds up to 1260 days.)
If you divide 1260 days by 364 (there are 364 and 1/4 days in a year), you will get 3.461 years.
If you choose to use the Jewish months, there are roughly 355 days in a Jewish calendar year, so by dividing 1260 days by 355, you come up with roughly 3.54 years.
In another verse, Revelation 12:14, it says, "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent."
That's three and a half years.
So, the question is: How will we know when we're in the last three and a half years?
Matthew 24:15 WHEN YE THEREFORE SHALL SEE THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION, SPOKEN OF BY DANIEL THE PROPHET, STAND IN THE HOLY PLACE...
21 FOR THEN SHALL BE GREAT TRIBULATION, SUCH AS WAS NOT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THIS TIME, NO, NOR EVER SHALL BE.
Jesus made it very clear. He said "when". "When you see." We are going to see the Abomination of Desolation. Now, in this time on the earth, everyone is able to simultaneously see something important. Just like we all saw the twin towers fall. We'll see the placing of this "thing" when it is erected "in the holy place".
Is there a question about where the "Holy Place" is? No, it's not the Vatican. It's Jerusalem. If you haven't read the Bible, God has always referred to Jerusalem as His own holy place and the place Jesus will return to very soon.
Now, at this point in time, there is a mosque sitting on the temple mount. However, the Jews intend to build their own temple in the same vicinity. Therefore, the signing of the peace covenant (Daniel 9:27) may even make that possible, since, at the moment, it seems to be a political and religious impossibility.
I singled that out so that it would be clear, emphatic and easy to remember.
But, what about the beginning of the last three and a half years? How will we know for sure when that has begun?
It was Jesus Himself Who warned us about the "Great Tribulation" in Matthew, chapter 24. We know from other verses in the Bible that the "Great Tribulation" lasts for three and a half years. Revelation chapter 13 describes the world dictator or "Antichrist" and the time period that he will be given to continue.
Revelation 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
If you divide 42 by 12 (12 months in a year), you come up with 3.5 years. That's not a coincidence. That's God reinforcing His word by using months as well as years. He also tells us the time period in days.
Daniel 12:11 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. (3.54 years)
During this time of tribulation, the woman (or believers) flees into the wilderness.
Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
(One score is 20 years. So, that adds up to 1260 days.)
If you divide 1260 days by 364 (there are 364 and 1/4 days in a year), you will get 3.461 years.
If you choose to use the Jewish months, there are roughly 355 days in a Jewish calendar year, so by dividing 1260 days by 355, you come up with roughly 3.54 years.
In another verse, Revelation 12:14, it says, "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent."
That's three and a half years.
So, the question is: How will we know when we're in the last three and a half years?
Matthew 24:15 WHEN YE THEREFORE SHALL SEE THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION, SPOKEN OF BY DANIEL THE PROPHET, STAND IN THE HOLY PLACE...
21 FOR THEN SHALL BE GREAT TRIBULATION, SUCH AS WAS NOT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THIS TIME, NO, NOR EVER SHALL BE.
Jesus made it very clear. He said "when". "When you see." We are going to see the Abomination of Desolation. Now, in this time on the earth, everyone is able to simultaneously see something important. Just like we all saw the twin towers fall. We'll see the placing of this "thing" when it is erected "in the holy place".
Is there a question about where the "Holy Place" is? No, it's not the Vatican. It's Jerusalem. If you haven't read the Bible, God has always referred to Jerusalem as His own holy place and the place Jesus will return to very soon.
Now, at this point in time, there is a mosque sitting on the temple mount. However, the Jews intend to build their own temple in the same vicinity. Therefore, the signing of the peace covenant (Daniel 9:27) may even make that possible, since, at the moment, it seems to be a political and religious impossibility.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Don't Burn the Bridge of Forgiveness
George Herbert said
"He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone has need to be forgiven."
Whoever thinks they do not need to be forgiven is greatly deceived.
In a sense, if we do not, cannot or will not forgive, we are declaring that we do not need forgiveness and we are not required to extend it to others. And that's just pure PRIDE. It's a ridiculous and childish attitude of,
"I'm perfect but you're not."
It's like that picture of the kid on the playground who says, "I'm taking my toys and going home."
He doesn't want to share his toys with others because he's selfish. It's funny and even kind of cute because we've all been there. But, hopefully, we will all grow out of that stage.
So, how is it that some of us are deceived into thinking that we are not required to forgive?
I think it has something to do with comparing sins with sins. The thought pattern is like this:
"I can forgive THIS but not THAT. THAT was a sin of the mind but THIS is a sin of the heart. THIS was unintentional but THAT was on purpose!"
We get the idea that we can be stingy with our forgiveness as if it's something we possess and give away. That right there is wrong thinking because, as imperfect human beings, we don't naturally possess the ability to forgive. It's not like we have a reservoir full of forgiveness to pour out to whoever we decide "deserves" it.
Like the lady told the judge, "Please have mercy on my son!"
And when the judge said, "Your son does not deserve mercy!"
She replied, "If he deserved it, it wouldn't BE mercy!"
The only way we can extend forgiveness to others is by fully and deeply knowing that we are not perfect, we are sinners and that we deserve to go to Hell! Yes, we deserve to go to Hell, people. iThere's not one of us who can escape the fires of Hell without the blood of Christ!
And just because you "feel" or "judge" that someone has "done you wrong", it does not give you the right to hold a grudge. You don't have that luxury unless you are GOD.
In fact, Jesus warned us in this way. He said in Matthew chapter 6, verses 14 and 15
"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Wow.
That's pretty intense, don't you think? I mean, this is Jesus Christ our Saviour talking saying that, "Yes, I died for you and I forgave you, but if you don't forgive others, you won't be forgiven."
I almost just don't want to believe that because it's so drastic. It seems really harsh. Does it mean we will actually lose our salvation if we don't extend forgiveness to others? Well, Jesus said it. Was it just good advice? Or, is it true that God will not forgive us unless we forgive?
One way to look at it is like this:
Ok, you died. You're standing in front of the gates of Heaven. But, before you can get IN, you have to make sure you clean up any grudges you're holding in your heart against anyone on the planet. You can't take that unforgiveness into Heaven with you.
Maybe we need to look at unforgiveness as a sin. That would help us identify it as unwanted energy. It's a strain and a drain and a weight on our souls. That would mean that forgiveness is NOT an option. You don't get to choose to not forgive without very heavy consequences, according to Matthew 6:15.
What we need to ask ourselves is: "Do I really want God to not forgive me?"
What does that mean? Can you imagine God waiting on you to forgive your brother or sister before He deigns to forgive you? Do we really want to build a wall between ourselves and God?
How do we picture God? Is He the One who is critical, cold, hard, austere, rigid, unbending, unsympathetic and bound to the law? Is God like that? No! That is not the picture of the Christian God.
That pretty much describes the Devil.
Yes, folks, it's the Devil who has all those attributes. He's legalistic, judgmental, proud, haughty, unbending, unmerciful, critical. Oh, AND unloving. In case you didn't know it.
So, now, taking everything into consideration: where does unforgiveness come from? God? Jesus?
I have had difficulties forgiving people whom I felt did me wrong. One thing that helped was to STOP focussing on that person's huge mistake and to focus on a few of my own bloopers and unkind deeds (of which there are plenty). But the way to make forgiveness come easy is to remember in detail all the suffering that Jesus had to go through for our own sins.
Besides, if I hadn't gotten saved when I did, who knows what terrible crimes I would have been capable of committing? If I'd stayed on that road to destruction and selfishness, it may have led me to any number of dastardly deeds! But, thank God, someone had the love and compassion to tell me about salvation!
Now, it's just a matter of passing it on. "Pay it forward." And that's what forgiveness is all about: "paying it forward" because "what goes around comes around" and for sure, we're gonna need forgiveness one of these days very soon!
The bridge of forgiveness is a VERY busy bridge just flowing with non-stop traffic! God help us not to cause a road block.
"He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone has need to be forgiven."
Whoever thinks they do not need to be forgiven is greatly deceived.
In a sense, if we do not, cannot or will not forgive, we are declaring that we do not need forgiveness and we are not required to extend it to others. And that's just pure PRIDE. It's a ridiculous and childish attitude of,
"I'm perfect but you're not."
It's like that picture of the kid on the playground who says, "I'm taking my toys and going home."
He doesn't want to share his toys with others because he's selfish. It's funny and even kind of cute because we've all been there. But, hopefully, we will all grow out of that stage.
So, how is it that some of us are deceived into thinking that we are not required to forgive?
I think it has something to do with comparing sins with sins. The thought pattern is like this:
"I can forgive THIS but not THAT. THAT was a sin of the mind but THIS is a sin of the heart. THIS was unintentional but THAT was on purpose!"
We get the idea that we can be stingy with our forgiveness as if it's something we possess and give away. That right there is wrong thinking because, as imperfect human beings, we don't naturally possess the ability to forgive. It's not like we have a reservoir full of forgiveness to pour out to whoever we decide "deserves" it.
Like the lady told the judge, "Please have mercy on my son!"
And when the judge said, "Your son does not deserve mercy!"
She replied, "If he deserved it, it wouldn't BE mercy!"
The only way we can extend forgiveness to others is by fully and deeply knowing that we are not perfect, we are sinners and that we deserve to go to Hell! Yes, we deserve to go to Hell, people. iThere's not one of us who can escape the fires of Hell without the blood of Christ!
And just because you "feel" or "judge" that someone has "done you wrong", it does not give you the right to hold a grudge. You don't have that luxury unless you are GOD.
In fact, Jesus warned us in this way. He said in Matthew chapter 6, verses 14 and 15
"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Wow.
That's pretty intense, don't you think? I mean, this is Jesus Christ our Saviour talking saying that, "Yes, I died for you and I forgave you, but if you don't forgive others, you won't be forgiven."
I almost just don't want to believe that because it's so drastic. It seems really harsh. Does it mean we will actually lose our salvation if we don't extend forgiveness to others? Well, Jesus said it. Was it just good advice? Or, is it true that God will not forgive us unless we forgive?
One way to look at it is like this:
Ok, you died. You're standing in front of the gates of Heaven. But, before you can get IN, you have to make sure you clean up any grudges you're holding in your heart against anyone on the planet. You can't take that unforgiveness into Heaven with you.
Maybe we need to look at unforgiveness as a sin. That would help us identify it as unwanted energy. It's a strain and a drain and a weight on our souls. That would mean that forgiveness is NOT an option. You don't get to choose to not forgive without very heavy consequences, according to Matthew 6:15.
What we need to ask ourselves is: "Do I really want God to not forgive me?"
What does that mean? Can you imagine God waiting on you to forgive your brother or sister before He deigns to forgive you? Do we really want to build a wall between ourselves and God?
How do we picture God? Is He the One who is critical, cold, hard, austere, rigid, unbending, unsympathetic and bound to the law? Is God like that? No! That is not the picture of the Christian God.
That pretty much describes the Devil.
Yes, folks, it's the Devil who has all those attributes. He's legalistic, judgmental, proud, haughty, unbending, unmerciful, critical. Oh, AND unloving. In case you didn't know it.
So, now, taking everything into consideration: where does unforgiveness come from? God? Jesus?
I have had difficulties forgiving people whom I felt did me wrong. One thing that helped was to STOP focussing on that person's huge mistake and to focus on a few of my own bloopers and unkind deeds (of which there are plenty). But the way to make forgiveness come easy is to remember in detail all the suffering that Jesus had to go through for our own sins.
Besides, if I hadn't gotten saved when I did, who knows what terrible crimes I would have been capable of committing? If I'd stayed on that road to destruction and selfishness, it may have led me to any number of dastardly deeds! But, thank God, someone had the love and compassion to tell me about salvation!
Now, it's just a matter of passing it on. "Pay it forward." And that's what forgiveness is all about: "paying it forward" because "what goes around comes around" and for sure, we're gonna need forgiveness one of these days very soon!
The bridge of forgiveness is a VERY busy bridge just flowing with non-stop traffic! God help us not to cause a road block.
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