WHAT YOU GET- WHAT YOU GIVE // Sunday, August 29, 2021

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Sunday — August 29, 2021

 

What You Get – What You Give

 

What you get when you receive Christ:

1. Forgiveness

Romans 5: 15 (NLT) 

   …there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.

2. Eternal Life

Romans 6: 23 (NLT) 

    For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. 

3. The Holy Spirit

Romans 5: 3 - 5 (ESV) 

   …we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 

   4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 

4. Abilities

Ephesians 2: 10 (NLT) 

   For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 

Why does God give us abilities?

1.                To bring Him glory

1 Corinthians 10: 31 (NLT) 

   So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

2.                To serve others.

1 Peter 4: 10 (NLT)

   God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

3.               To be an example to others.

 

1 Timothy 4: 14 – 18 (NLT) 

   Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. 15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

4.               To build the church.

Ephesians 4: 11 – 13 (NLT)

     Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

What should I do?

1.               Discover

2.               Develop

3.               Dedicate

4.               Deploy

A Final word: 

Romans 12: 3 – 9 (NLT)

   I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.  9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them…

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DANIEL: Being a Christian in Babylon, chapter 12 // Sunday, August 22, 2021

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Sunday — August 22, 2021

Chronological Order of Daniel

 

1             Babylonian Exile

2             Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

3            Nebuchadnezzar’s Image

4             Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride

7   The Times of the Gentiles

8   The Ram and Goat

5             Babylon falls to Persia

9   Prophecy of the 70 Weeks

6             Daniel in the Lions’ Den

10 - 12  Closing Visions

Daniel 12: 1- 11 (NLT)

   “At that time Michael, the archangel 

who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. 

   2 Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace. 

   3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. 

   4 But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.”

   5 Then I, Daniel, looked and saw two others standing on opposite banks of the river. 

   6 One of them asked the man dressed in linen, who was now standing above the river, “How long will it be until these shocking events are over?”

   7 The man dressed in linen, who was standing above the river, raised both his hands toward heaven and took a solemn oath by the One who lives forever, saying, “It will go on for a time, times, and half a time. When the shattering of the holy people has finally come to an end, all these things will have happened.”

   8 I heard what he said, but I did not understand what he meant. So I asked, “How will all this finally end, my lord?”

   9 But he said, “Go now, Daniel, for what I have said is kept secret and sealed until the time of the end. 

   10 Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined by these trials. But the wicked will continue in their wickedness, and none of them will understand. Only those who are wise will know what it means.

   11 “From the time the daily sacrifice is stopped and the sacrilegious object that causes desecration is set up to be worshiped, there will be 1,290 days. 

 

Matthew 24: 15 (NLT)

   “The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.”  (Reader, pay attention!)

 

Daniel 12: 12 & 13 (NLT)  

   12 And blessed are those who wait and remain until the end of the 1,335 days!

   13 “As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you.”

DANIEL: Being a Christian in Babylon, chapter 11 part 2 // Sunday, August 8, 2021

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Sunday — August 8, 2021

Daniel 11 (part 2)

   

A helpful way to view Bible prophecy: It is Accurate, but Selective.

 

Daniel 8: 7 – 14;  23 - 25 (NLT)

   7 The goat charged furiously at the ram and struck him, breaking off both his horns. Now the ram was helpless, and the goat knocked him down and trampled him. No one could rescue the ram from the goat’s power.

   8 The goat became very powerful.

But at the height of his power,

his large horn was broken off.

In the large horn’s place grew four prominent horns pointing in the four directions of the earth.

      9 Then from one of the prominent horns came a small horn whose power grew very great. It extended toward the south and the east and toward the glorious land of Israel. 

10 Its power reached to the heavens, where it attacked the heavenly army, throwing some of the heavenly beings and some of the stars to the ground and trampling them. 

   11 It even challenged the Commander of heaven’s army by canceling the daily sacrifices offered to him and by destroying his Temple. 

   12 The army of heaven was restrained from responding to this rebellion. So the daily sacrifice was halted, and truth was overthrown (Mosaic Law). The horn succeeded in everything it did.

13 Then I heard two holy ones talking to each other. One of them asked, “How long will the events of this vision last? How long will the rebellion that causes desecration stop the daily sacrifices? How long will the Temple and heaven’s army be trampled on?”

   14 The other replied, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the Temple will be made right again.”

   23 “At the end of their rule, when their sin is at its height, a fierce king, a master of intrigue, will rise to power. 

   24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people. 

   25 He will be a master of deception and will become arrogant; he will destroy many without warning. He will even take on the Prince of princes in battle, but he will be broken, though not by human power.

 

Daniel 11: 21 - 31 (NLT)

   “The next to come to power will be a despicable man who is not in line for royal succession. He will slip in when least expected and take over the kingdom by flattery and intrigue. 

   22 Before him great armies will be swept away, including a covenant prince. 

   23 With deceitful promises, he will make various alliances. He will become strong despite having only a handful of followers. 

   24 Without warning he will enter the richest areas of the land. Then he will distribute among his followers the plunder and wealth of the rich—something his predecessors had never done. He will plot the overthrow of strongholds, but this will last for only a short while.

   25 “Then he will stir up his courage and raise a great army against the king of Egypt. The king of Egypt will go to battle with a mighty army, but to no avail, for there will be plots against him. 

   26 His own household will cause his downfall. His army will be swept away, and many will be killed.

   27 Seeking nothing but each other’s harm, these kings will plot against each other at the conference table, attempting to deceive each other. But it will make no difference, for the end will come at the appointed time.

   28 “The king of Syria will then return home with great riches. On the way he will set himself against the people of the holy covenant, doing much damage before continuing his journey.

   29 “Then at the appointed time he will once again invade Egypt, but this time the result will be different.

  30For warships from western coastlands will scare him off, and he will withdraw and return home. But he will vent his anger against the people of the holy covenant and reward those who forsake the covenant.

   31 “His army will take over the Temple fortress, pollute the sanctuary,

put a stop to the daily sacrifices,

and set up the sacrilegious object that causes desecration. 

 

Matthew 24: 15 (NLT)

   “The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.” (Reader, pay attention!)

 

2 Thessalonians 2: 2 & 3 (NLT)

   Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. 

   3 Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction.

 

Daniel 11: 32 - 35 (NLT)

   32 He will flatter and win over those who have violated the covenant.

But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him.

   33 “Wise leaders will give instruction to many, but these teachers will die by fire and sword, or they will be jailed and robbed. 

   34 During these persecutions, little help will arrive, and many who join them will not be sincere. 

   35 And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come.

Daniel 11: 1 – 35 contains 135 prophecies that have been fulfilled..

DANIEL: Being a Christian in Babylon, chapter 11 // Sunday, August 1, 2021

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Sunday — August 1, 2021

 

Daniel 11 (NLT)

 

A helpful way to view Bible prophecy: It is Accurate, but Selective.

 

Daniel 11: 1 (NASB)

   In the first year of Darius the Mede, I arose to be of assistance and a protection for him.

 

Daniel 10: 2 (NLT)

   “Now then, I will reveal the truth to you. Three more Persian kings will reign, to be succeeded by a fourth, far richer than the others. He will use his wealth to stir up everyone to fight against the kingdom of Greece.

 

Daniel 11: 3 & 4 (NLT)

    “Then a mighty king will rise to power who will rule with great authority and accomplish everything he sets out to do. 

   4 But at the height of his power, his kingdom will be broken apart and divided into four parts. It will not be ruled by the king’s descendants, nor will the kingdom hold the authority it once had. For his empire will be uprooted and given to others.

 

Daniel 11: 5 (NLT)

   “The king of the south will increase in power, but one of his own officials will become more powerful than he and will rule his kingdom with great strength.

 

Daniel 11: 6 (NLT)

   Some years later an alliance will be formed between the king of the north

(Syria) and the king of the south (Egypt). The daughter of the king of the south (Syria) will be given in marriage to the king of the north (Egypt) to secure the alliance, but she will lose her influence over him, and so will her father. She will be abandoned along with her supporters.

 

Daniel 11: 7 – 20 (NLT)

   7 But when one of her relatives

becomes king of the south (Egypt),

he will raise an army and enter the fortress of the king of the north (Syria) and defeat him. 

   8 When he returns to Egypt, he will carry back their idols with him, along with priceless articles of gold and silver. For some years afterward he will leave the king of the north (Syria) alone.

 9 “Later the king of the north (Syria)  will invade the realm of the king of the south (Egypt) but will soon return to his own land. 

   10 However, the sons of the king of the north (Syria) will assemble a mighty army that will advance like a flood and carry the battle as far as the enemy’s fortress.

   11 “Then, in a rage, the king of the south (Egypt) will rally against the vast forces assembled by the king of the north (Syria) and will defeat them. 

   12 After the enemy army is swept away, the king of the south (Egypt) will be filled with pride and will execute many thousands of his enemies. But his success will be short lived.

   13 “A few years later the king of the north (Syria) will return with a fully equipped army far greater than before. 

   14 At that time there will be a general uprising against the king of the south (Egypt). Violent men among your own people will join them in fulfillment of this vision, but they will not succeed. 

   15 Then the king of the north (Syria)  will come and lay siege to a fortified city and capture it. The best troops of the south (Egypt) will not be able to stand in the face of the onslaught.

   16 “The king of the north (Syria) will march onward unopposed; none will be able to stop him. He will pause in the glorious land of Israel, intent on destroying it. 

   17 He will make plans to come with the might of his entire kingdom and will form an alliance with the king of the south (Egypt). He will give him a daughter in marriage in order to overthrow the kingdom from within, but his plan will fail.

   18 “After this, he will turn his attention to the coastland and conquer many cities. But a commander from another land will put an end to his insolence and cause him to retreat in shame. 

   19 He will take refuge in his own fortresses but will stumble and fall and be seen no more.

   20 “His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor. But after a very brief reign, he will die, though not from anger or in battle.

DANIEL: Being a Christian in Babylon, chapter 10 // Sunday, July 25, 2021

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Sunday — July 25, 2021

 

Daniel 19: 1-3 (NLT) 

    In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) had another vision. He understood that the vision concerned events certain to happen in the future—times of war and great hardship.

    2 When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. 

   3 All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.

 

Romans 8: 28 (NLT) 

   And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

 

Philippians 4: 6 & 7 (ESV) 

   Do not be anxious about anything, 

but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

    7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

Daniel 10: 4 - 6 (NLT)

   On April 23, as I was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River, 

   5 I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. 

   6 His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people.

 

Daniel 10: 7 - 9 (NLT) 

    Only I, Daniel, saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide. 

   8 So I was left there all alone to see this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale,

and I felt very weak. 

   9 Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound of his voice,

I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground.

 

Romans 3: 23  

   For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

 

Daniel 10: 10 & 11 (NLT)

   Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. 

   11 And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up,

still trembling.

   12 Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 

   13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. 

   14 Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future,

for this vision concerns a time yet to come.” 

   15 While he was speaking to me,

I looked down at the ground, unable to say a word. 

   16 Then the one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, “I am filled with anguish because of the vision I have seen, my lord, and I am very weak. 

   17 How can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my lord?

My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe.”

   18 Then the one who looked like a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning. 

   19 “Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God.

Peace!   Be encouraged!   Be strong!”

   As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, “Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”

   20 He replied, “Do you know why I have come? Soon I must return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and after that the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece will come. 

   21 Meanwhile, I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one helps me against these spirit princes except Michael, your spirit prince.

 

DANIEL: Being a Christian in Babylon, chapter 9 // Sunday, June 13, 2021

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Sunday, June 13, 2021

Daniel:  Being A Christian in Babylon

Daniel 9 (Part 1)

Chronological Order of Daniel

1              Babylonian Exile

2              Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

3              Nebuchadnezzar’s Image

4              Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride

7     The Times of the Gentiles

8     The Ram and Goat

5              Babylon falls to Persia

9     Prophecy of the 70 Weeks

6              Daniel in the Lions’ Den

10 - 12  Closing Visions

Daniel 9: 1 & 2 (NLT)

   It was the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, who became king of the Babylonians. 2 During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the Lord, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years.

Jeremiah 29: 10 - 14 (ESV)

   This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

 

Ezra 1: 4 (NLT)

   In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom: 2 “This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 

   3 Any of you who are his people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild this Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you! 4 Wherever this Jewish remnant is found, let their neighbors contribute toward their expenses by giving them silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock, as well as a voluntary offering for the Temple of God in Jerusalem.”

 

Daniel 10: 1 (NLT) 

   In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) had another vision…

 

Daniel’s Response

1.               Literal interpretation

2.               Intercession

3.               Confession & National Repentance

 

Deuteronomy 30: 1 - 3 (NLT) 

   “In the future, when you experience all these blessings and curses I have listed for you, and when you are living among the nations to which the Lord your God has exiled you, take to heart all these instructions. 2 If at that time you and your children return to the Lord your God, and if you obey with all your heart and all your soul all the commands I have given you today, 3 then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes. He will have mercy on you and gather you back from all the nations where he has scattered you. 

 

Daniel 9: 3 (NLT) 

    So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting.

I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes.

 

Principles for Effective Prayer: 

1.               Faith in God’s Word.  (Earnestness)

2.               Proper attitude of mind & heart.   (Humility)

3.               Unhurried confession & petition.    (Reverence)

Daniel 9: 4 - 14 (NLT)

    4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:  “O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations.  6 We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land.  

    7“Lord, you are in the right; but as  you see, our faces are covered with shame. This is true of all of us, including the people of Judah and Jerusalem and all Israel, scattered near and far, wherever you have driven us because of our disloyalty to you. 8 O Lord, we and our kings, princes, and ancestors are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. 

   9 But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.  10 We have not obeyed the Lord our God, for we have not followed the instructions he gave us through his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has disobeyed your instruction and turned away, refusing to listen to your voice. “So now the solemn curses and judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured down on us because of our sin.  12 You have kept your word and done to us and our rulers exactly as you warned. Never has there been such a disaster as happened in Jerusalem.

   13 Every curse written against us in the Law of Moses has come true. Yet we have refused to seek mercy from the Lord our God by turning from our sins and recognizing his truth. 

   14 Therefore, the Lord has brought upon us the disaster he prepared. The Lord our God was right to do all of these things, for we did not obey him.

 

DANIEL: Being a Christian in Babylon, chapter 8 // Sunday, June 6, 2021

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Sunday, May 30, 2021 

Daniel:  Being A Christian in Babylon 

Daniel 8: 1 - 27 (NLT) 

During the third year of King Belshazzar’s reign,  I,  Daniel, saw another vision, following the one that had already appeared to me.  2 In this vision I was at the fortress of Susa, in the province of Elam, standing beside the Ulai River. 3 As I looked up, I saw a ram with two long horns standing beside the river. One of the horns was longer than the other, even though it had grown later than the other one. 4 The ram butted everything out of his way to the west, to the north, and to the south, and no one could stand against him or help his victims. He did as he pleased and became very great. 5 While I was watching, suddenly a male goat appeared from the west, crossing the land so swiftly that he didn’t even touch the ground. This goat, which had one very large horn between its eyes,  6 headed toward the two-horned ram that I had seen standing beside the river, rushing at him in a rage. 7 The goat charged furiously at the ram and struck him, breaking off both his horns. Now the ram was helpless, and the goat knocked him down and trampled him. No one could rescue the ram from the goat’s power. 8 The goat became very powerful. But at the height of his power, his large horn was broken off. In the large horn’s place grew four prominent horns pointing in the four directions of the earth. 9 Then from one of the prominent horns came a small horn whose power grew very great. It extended toward the south and the east and toward the glorious land of Israel. 10 Its power reached to the heavens, where it attacked the heavenly army, throwing some of the heavenly beings and some of the stars to the ground and trampling them. 11 It even challenged the Commander of heaven’s army by canceling the daily sacrifices offered to him and by destroying his Temple. 12 The army of heaven was restrained from responding to this rebellion. So the daily sacrifice was halted, and truth was overthrown. The horn succeeded in everything it did.  13 Then I heard two holy ones talking to each other. One of them asked, “How long will the events of this vision last? How long will the rebellion that causes desecration stop the daily sacrifices? How long will the Temple and heaven’s army be trampled on?” 14 The other replied, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the Temple will be made right again.” 15 As I, Daniel, was trying to understand the meaning of this vision, someone who looked like a man stood in front of me. 16 And I heard a human voice calling out from the Ulai River, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of his vision.” 17 As Gabriel approached the place where I was standing, I became so terrified that I fell with my face to the ground. “Son of man,” he said, “you must understand that the events you have seen in your vision relate to the time of the end.” 18 While he was speaking, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground. But Gabriel roused me with a touch and helped me to my feet. 19 Then he said, “I am here to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath. What you have seen pertains to the very end of time. 20 The two-horned ram represents the kings of Media and Persia. 21 The shaggy male goat represents the king of Greece, and the large horn between his eyes represents the first king of the Greek Empire. 22 The four prominent horns that replaced the one large horn show that the Greek Empire will break into four kingdoms, but none as great as the first. 23 “At the end of their rule, when their sin is at its height, a fierce king, a master of intrigue, will rise to power. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people. 25 He will be a master of deception and will become arrogant; he will destroy many without warning. He will even take on the Prince of princes in battle, but he will be broken, though not by human power. 26 “This vision about the 2,300 evenings and mornings is true. But none of these things will happen for a long time, so keep this vision a secret.” 27 Then I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for several days. Afterward I got up and performed my duties for the king, but I was greatly troubled by the vision and could not understand it.

 

Luke 21: 24 (NLT)

   They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

DANIEL: Being a Christian in Babylon, chapter 7 part 2 // Sunday, May 23, 2021

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Sunday, May 23, 2021 

Daniel:  Being A Christian in Babylon

Daniel 7 (Part 2)

 

Daniel 7: 11 (NLT) 

    I continued to watch because I could hear the little horn’s boastful speech. I kept watching until the fourth beast was killed and its body was destroyed by fire.  

 

Revelation 19: 20 (NLT) 

   …the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

 

Daniel 7: 12 (NLT) 

   12 The other three beasts had their authority taken from them, but they were allowed to live a while longer.

 

Daniel 7: 13 (NLT)

 13 As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. 

 

1 Thessalonians 4: 17 (NLT) 

   Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.

 

Revelation 1: 7 (NLT)  //  Daniel 7: 13

   Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him—
even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him.
Yes! Amen!

 

Acts 1: 9 - 11 (NLT)

      …  he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 

   11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

 

 

Daniel 7: 14 (NLT) 

14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.

 

Psalm 72: 11 (NLT) 

      All kings will bow before him, and all nations will serve him.

 

Revelation 19: 15 & 16 (NLT)

   From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. 16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

 

Isaiah 61: 1 & 2 (ESV) 

   The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;  2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn.

 

Daniel 7: 15 – 22 (NLT) 

    I, Daniel, was troubled by all I had seen, and my visions terrified me. 

   16 So I approached one of those standing beside the throne and asked him what it all meant. He explained it to me like this: 17 “These four huge beasts represent four kingdoms that will arise from the earth. 18 But in the end, the holy people of the Most High will be given the kingdom, and they will rule forever and ever.”  19 Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, the one so different from the others and so terrifying. It had devoured and crushed its victims with iron teeth and bronze claws, trampling their remains beneath its feet.

20 I also asked about the ten horns on the fourth beast’s head and the little horn that came up afterward and destroyed three of the other horns. This horn had seemed greater than the others, and it had human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly. 

 

Revelation 11: 7 (NLT)

   When they complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit will declare war against them, and he will conquer them and kill them.

 

Revelation 13: 7 (NLT) 

   And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation.

 

Daniel 7: 23 – 28 (NLT)

   Then he said to me, “This fourth beast is the fourth world power that will rule the earth. It will be different from all the others. It will devour the whole world, trampling and crushing everything in its path. 24 Its ten horns are ten kings who will rule that empire. Then another king will arise, different from the other ten, who will subdue three of them. 25 He will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High. He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws, and they will be placed under his control for a time, times, and half a time. 26 “But then the court will pass judgment, and all his power will be taken away and completely destroyed. 27 Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will last forever, and all rulers will serve and obey him.” 28 That was the end of the vision. I, Daniel, was terrified by my thoughts and my face was pale with fear, but I kept these things to myself.

DANIEL: Being a Christian in Babylon, chapter 7 // Sunday, May 16, 2021

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Sunday, May 16, 2021

 

Daniel:  Being A Christian in Babylon

Daniel 7

Daniel’s Image in Chapter 2:

 

Gold Head  =  Babylonian Empire

Silver Chest & Arms = Medo / Persian Empire

Brass Abdomen & Thighs  =  Greek Empire

Iron Legs  =  Roman Empire

Iron & Clay Feet  =  Reconstituted Roman

Stone  =  2nd Coming / Kingdom of God

 

Chronological Order Of Daniel

 

1              Babylonian Exile

2              Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

3              Nebuchadnezzar’s Image

4              Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride

7      The Times of the Gentiles

8      The Ram and Goat

5             Babylon falls to Persia

9      Prophecy of the 70 Weeks

6              Daniel in the Lions’ Den

10 - 12  Closing Visions

 

Contrasts Between Chapters 2  &  7

 

Recipient: evil, pagan king  vs  godly prophet

World History: imposing man  vs  horrible beasts

Interpreter: Daniel  vs  Angel

Perspective of World History:

   Human viewpoint as a glorious and imposing spectacle

                                                    vs

   God’s standpoint of immorality, brutality, and depravity

 

Daniel 7: 1 (NLT)

   Earlier, during the first year of King Belshazzar’s reign in Babylon, Daniel had a dream and saw visions as he lay in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is what he saw.

Daniel 7: 2 (NASB)

   2 Daniel said, “I was looking in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea.

 

Sea represents humanity…

Matthew 13: 47 (NASB)

   …the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.

 

Revelation 13: 1 

   Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea…

 

Gentiles and Unbelievers often stir up the sea…

Isaiah 17: 12 & 13 (NASB)

   Oh, the uproar of many peoples Who roar like the roaring of the seas,
And the rumbling of nations who rush on like the rumbling of mighty waters!
   13 The nations rumble on like the rumbling of many waters…

 

Isaiah 57: 20 (NASB)

   …the wicked are like the tossing sea, For it cannot be quiet, And its waters toss up refuse and mud.

 

Jeremiah 6: 23 (NASB)

   They seize bow and spear; They are cruel and have no mercy;
Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride on horses,
Lined up as a man for the battle against you, daughter of Zion!”

 

God often uses wind to accomplish His purposes…

Genesis 8: 1 (NLT)

   …God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livestock with him in the boat. He sent a wind to blow across the earth, and the floodwaters began to recede.

 

Exodus 10: 13 (NLT)

Plagues of Egypt…

   So Moses raised his staff over Egypt, and the Lord caused an east wind to blow over the land all that day and through the night. When morning arrived, the east wind had brought the locusts. 

 

Exodus 14: 21 (NLT)

Parting of the Red Sea…

   … Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land.

Exodus 15: 10 (NASB) 

Miriam’s Song

   You blew with Your wind, the sea covered them; They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

 

Acts 2: 2 (NASB) 

Day of Pentecost

… suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven…

 

1 Kings 19: 11 (NLT) 

We must be discerning…

   Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind.

 

Daniel 7: 3 & 4 (NLT)

   3 Then four huge beasts came up out of the water, each different from the others.

    4 The first beast was like a lion with eagles’ wings. As I watched, its wings were pulled off, and it was left standing with its two hind feet on the ground, like a human being. And it was given a human mind.

 

Daniel 7: 5 (NLT)

   5 Then I saw a second beast, and it looked like a bear. It was rearing up on one side, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And I heard a voice saying to it, “Get up! Devour the flesh of many people!”

 

Isaiah 13: 17 & 18 (NLT) 

   “Look, I will stir up the Medes against Babylon. They cannot be tempted by silver or bribed with gold.  18 The attacking armies will shoot down the young men with arrows. They will have no mercy on helpless babies and will show no compassion for children.”

 

Daniel 7: 6 (NLT)

   6 Then the third of these strange beasts appeared, and it looked like a leopard. It had four bird’s wings on its back, and it had four heads. Great authority was given to this beast.

 

Jeremiah 5: 6 (NLT) 

   A leopard will lurk near their towns, tearing apart any who dare to venture out. For their rebellion is great, and their sins are many.

 

Hosea 13: 7 (NLT) 

   So now I will attack you like a lion, like a leopard that lurks along the road.

 

Daniel 7: 7 & 8 (NLT) 

      Then in my vision that night, I saw a fourth beast—terrifying, dreadful, and very strong. It devoured and crushed its victims with huge iron teeth and trampled their remains beneath its feet. It was different from any of the other beasts, and it had ten horns.

   8 As I was looking at the horns, suddenly another small horn appeared among them. Three of the first horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it. This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly.

 

Daniel 7: 9 & 10 (NLT)   Also read Revelation 4 & 5 

   I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One (Ancient of Days) sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like purest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire, 10 and a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from his presence. Millions of angels ministered to him;
many millions stood to attend him. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened.

 

God’s glory often depicted as fire…

Psalm 97: 3 & 4 (NLT) 

   Fire spreads ahead of him and burns up all his foes. 4 His lightning flashes out across the world. The earth sees and trembles.

 

Revelation 1: 14 & 15 (NLT)

   His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. 15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves.

Also read: Exodus 3: 2; Deuteronomy 4: 24; 1 Timothy 6: 16; Hebrews 12: 29

 

Final Judgment & Books:

 

Revelation 20: 12 (NLT) 

   I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books.

 

Isaiah 65: 6 & 7 (NLT)

Sins

   “Look, my decree is written out in front of me: I will not stand silent; I will repay them in full! Yes, I will repay them—   7 both for their own sins and for those of their ancestors,” says the Lord. “For they also burned incense on the mountains and insulted me on the hills. I will pay them back in full!

 

Malachi 3: 16 (NLT)

Good Deeds 

   Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord 

listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.

 

Ephesians 2: 8 & 9 (NLT) 

   God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 

 

Read: Psalm 103: 12;  1 John 1: 9;  Matthew 25: 31 - 46

DANIEL: Being a Christian in Babylon, chapter 6 // Sunday, April 25, 2021

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Sunday — April 25, 2021 

Daniel:  Being A Christian in Babylon

 

Daniel 6: 1 - 10 (NLT)

   Darius the Mede decided to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces, and he appointed a high officer to rule over each province. 

   2 The king also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the high officers and protect the king’s interests.               

   3 Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.

   4 Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs,

but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. 

   5 So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.”            

   6 So the administrators and high officers went to the king and said, “Long live King Darius! 

   7 We are all in agreement—we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions. 

   8 And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.” 9 So King Darius signed the law.      

   10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. 

 

Jeremiah 29: 12 (NLT)

      In those days when you pray, I will listen.

 

2 Chronicles 6: 34 - 39 (NLT)

  If your people go out where you send them to fight their enemies, and if they pray to you by turning toward this city you have chosen and toward the Temple have built to honor your name,

35then hear their prayers from heaven and uphold their cause.

   36If they sin against you-and who has never sinned? - you might become angry with them and let their enemies conquer the and take them captive to a foreign land far away or near.

   37But in that land of exile, they might turn to you in repentance and pray, ‘We have sinned, done evil, and acted wickedly.’

   38If they turn to you with their whole heart and soul in the land of their captivity and pray toward the land you gave to their ancestors-toward this city you have chosen, and toward this Temple I have built to honor your name-

   39then hear their prayers and their petitions from heaven where you live, and uphold their cause. Forgive your people who have sinned against you.

 

John 4: 20 – 24 (NLT)

   So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where or ancestors worship?

   21Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.

   22You Samaritans know veery little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews.

   23But the time is coming- indeed it’s here now- when true worshippers will worship the Father inspirit and in truth.  The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.

   24For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

  

Psalm 55: 16 & 17 (NLT)

   But I will call on God, and the LORD will rescue me.

   17Morning, noon and night I cry out in my distress, and the LORD hears my voice.

Daniel 6: 11 - 21 (NLT)

   11 Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. 

   12 So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law. “Did you not sign a law that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions?”

   Yes,” the king replied, “that decision stands; it is an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.”

   13 Then they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.”

    14 Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament.

   15 In the evening the men went together to the king and said, “Your Majesty, you know that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed.”

   16 So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.”

   17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel.        

   18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.   

   19 Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den.  

   20 When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?”

21 Daniel answered, “Long live the king!

   22 My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”

 

1 Peter 5: 8 (NLT)

   Stay alert!  Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

 

2 Timothy 4: 17 (NLT)

   But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.

 

Daniel 6: 23 & 24 (NLT)

   23 The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.

 

   24 Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.

 

Obadiah 15 (NLT)

   The day is near when I, the LORD, will judge all godless nations!  As you have done to Israel, so it will be done to you. All your evil deeds will fall back on your own heads.

 

Daniel 6: 25 - 28 (NLT)

   25 Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:

   “Peace and prosperity to you!

   26 “I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel.

   For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end.                  

   27 He rescues and saves his people;
he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth.
He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”  

  28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

DANIEL: Being a Christian in Babylon, chapter 5 // Sunday, April 18, 2021

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Sunday, April 18, 2021

 

Daniel:  Being A Christian in Babylon

Daniel 5

Daniel 5: 1 - 9 (NLT) 

   Many years later King Belshazzar gave a great feast for 1,000 of his nobles, and he drank wine with them. 

 

Nebuchadnezzar died in 562 BC.    This is October 12, 539 BC.

 

   2 While Belshazzar was drinking the wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver cups that his predecessor (Father / Grandfather), Nebuchadnezzar, had taken from the Temple in Jerusalem.   He wanted to drink from them with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. 3 So they brought these gold cups taken from the Temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. 

   4 While they drank from them they praised their idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. 

      5Suddenly, they saw the fingers of a human hand writing on the plaster wall of the king’s palace, near the lampstand. The king himself saw the hand as it wrote, 6 and his face turned pale with fright.  His knees knocked together in fear and his legs gave way beneath him.

   7 The king shouted for the enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers to be brought before him. He said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever can read this writing and tell me what it means will be dressed in purple robes of royal honor and will have a gold chain placed around his neck. He will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom!”

   8 But when all the king’s wise men had come in, none of them could read the writing or tell him what it meant. 9 So the king grew even more alarmed, and his face turned pale. His nobles, too, were shaken.

 

Psalm 2: 1 - 4 (NLT)

    Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
   2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord   and against his anointed one.   3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry,

“and free ourselves from slavery to God.” 4But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.

Daniel 5: 10 – 31 (NLT)

     10 But when the queen mother heard what was happening, she hurried to the banquet hall. She said to Belshazzar, “Long live the king!  Don’t be so pale and frightened. 

   11 There is a man in your kingdom who has within him the spirit of the holy gods.   During Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, this man was found to have insight, understanding, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your predecessor, the king—  your predecessor King Nebuchadnezzar—made him chief over all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers of Babylon.  12 This man Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, has exceptional ability and is filled with divine knowledge and understanding. He can interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.”

   13 So Daniel was brought in before the king.   The king asked him, “Are you Daniel,  one of the exiles brought from Judah by my predecessor,  King Nebuchadnezzar? 14 I have heard that you have the spirit of the gods within you   and that you are filled with insight, understanding, and wisdom. 15 My wise men and enchanters have tried to read the words on the wall and tell me their meaning, but they cannot do it. 16 I am told that you can give interpretations and solve difficult problems.   If you can read these words and tell me their meaning,   you will be clothed in purple robes of royal honor, and you will have a gold chain placed around your neck. You will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”

   17 Daniel answered the king, “Keep your gifts or give them to someone else,   but I will tell you what the writing means. 

   18 Your Majesty (O King live forever), the Most High God gave sovereignty, majesty,  glory,  and honor to your predecessor,  Nebuchadnezzar. 

       19 He made him so great that people of all races  and nations  and languages trembled before him in fear. He killed those he wanted to kill and spared those he wanted to spare. He honored those he wanted to honor and disgraced those he wanted to disgrace.  20 But when his heart and mind were puffed up with arrogance, he was brought down from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. 21 He was driven from human society. He was given the mind of a wild animal, and he lived among the wild donkeys. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he learned that the Most High God rules over the kingdoms of the world   and appoints anyone he desires to rule over them.

   22 “You are his successor, O Belshazzar, and you knew all this, yet you have not humbled yourself. 23 For you have proudly defied the Lord of heaven and have had these cups from his Temple brought before you. You and your nobles and your wives and concubines have been drinking wine from them while praising gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone — gods that neither see nor hear nor know anything at all. But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny! 24 So God has sent this hand to write this message.

   25 “This is the message that was written:  Mene,  mene,  tekel, and  Parsin.

   26 This is what these words mean:

Mene means ‘numbered’ — God has numbered the days of your reign and has brought it to an end.  27 Tekel means ‘weighed’—you have been weighed on the balances and have not measured up. 28 Parsin means ‘divided’—your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

   29 Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was dressed in purple robes,

a gold chain was hung around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

    30 That very night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed.

      31 And Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of sixty-two.